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NOw wee are come to the sixt age, or hundred of yeares, of Christ, wherin
liued S. Gregory the great, Pope of Rome, that sent S. Augustine and diuers other ho∣lie cleargie men hither, which conuerted a greater part of this nation, and kingdome, called England; Wherefore seeing by con∣fession of our best learned protestants, the Christian Britans of this Iland, had from their first conuersion vnto Christ, and did at the coming of S. Augustine from Rome, continue in the same holy faith, and Reli∣gion, which they had learned, and receued in the Apostles time, and hitherto we haue not found any materiall difference in any age between them, & the church of Rome in these cheif questions I haue in hand; now to make euidēt demonstration by these ad∣uersaries to the holy Romane Religion, that this church neuer altered any substantiall matter, by their owne iudgement, at, be∣fore, or after, the cominge of S. Augustine hither, I will first set downe all the preten∣ded chaunges additiōs or alteratiōs, which these protestants charge that holy church withall, in these affaires, prouinge them to bee of no moment, or essentiall; And after shew how the Christian Britans in this age also, as in all the former, still agreed in these
questions with the church of Rome. And wheras there was then some difference bet∣weene the disciples of S. Gregorie and the Britās here about the obseruation of Easter, and some other questions, rather ceremo∣niall, then substantiall in Religion, that the church euen by the testimonie of our pro∣testants, did hold the truth in these matters, and such Britans and Scots as held the con∣trary, were in confessed, and vnexcusable error.
2. The first alleaged chaunger or addi∣tioner of any thinge in the holy sacrifice of Masse, which our protestants obiect among the Popes of Rome, in this age, is Hors∣mida, who as these men write: commaunded that altars should not be erected, without the assent of the Bishop. Ne altaria sine Episcopi assensu erigerentur iussit. (Rob. Barnes in vit. Pontif. Rom. in Horsmida. Bal. in Act. Pont. in eod.) but this was according to holy scrip∣tures, to haue Superiors and commaunders to bee obeyed: remember them which haue the rule ouer you. Obey them that haue the rule ouer you, and submit yourselues. (Hebr. cap. 13. v. 7.17. and S. Ignatius liuinge in the first hundred yeares, proueth noe such
thinge ought to bee done without the Bi∣shops assent. (Ignat. epist. ad Smyrnenses.) and the puritan presbytery, and among our English parlament Protestāts no such mat∣ter in their Religion may bee done, with∣out the allowance of theire Protestant Bi∣shops. And these protestant obiectors them∣selues before confesse, that Pope Syricius tooke order, that Masse should not bee said but in places cōsecrated by the Bishop. Mis∣sas in loco ab Episcopo sacrato celebrandas esse. (Rob. Barnes in vit. Syricij Papae.) which was soone after the ceasinge of persecution by the Emperors, that places might bee freely dedicated to God, and hallowinge of altars belōged properly euer to the episcopal dig∣nitie. And our protestants ar witnesses, that this was then practised and obserued in Bri∣tanie by S. Dauid, S. Dubritius and others, too many to be recited. And in Kinge Lu∣cius his time, when so many churches with their altars were dedicated by our holy Bi∣shops to God, S. Peter, and other Saints. Godwin conuers. cap. 2. pag. 11. Holinsh. hist. of Engl. Theat. of great Britanie. Capgrau. in S. Patricio & alij.
3. From Horsmida, they lepp ouer Ioan∣nes
1. Faelix 4. Bonifacius 2. Ionnes 2. Aga∣petus 1. Syluerius 1. vntil they come to Pope Vigilius, who as these men say, decreed, that Masse should bee said towardes the caste: Instituit vt Missa celebretur versus orientem. (Io. Bal. l. 2. de Act. Pontif. Rom. in Vigilio.) or as an other protestant interpreteth it: Vi∣gilius instituted that preists being to say Mas∣se, should turne their face towardes the east. (Barnes in vit. Vigilij) Vigilius instituit, vt Missam celebraturi, faciem ad orientem verte∣rent. But this is onely a ceremony if he had first inuented it: but S. Basile telleth vs it was an apostolicall tradition, so to pray towards the east. (Basil. l. de Spiritu Sancto cap. 27.) for speaking of such traditions from the Apostles, not conteyned in scripture he saith: vt ad orientem versus precemur, quae de∣cuit scriptura? to pray with our faces towar∣des the east is a tradition, and not taught in scripture. And this tradition and custome of the primatiue Christians to pray, and say Masse turning their faces towards the east, was so common, publick, and well known longe before this time (Proclus supra in vi∣ta S. Patricij. Holinsh. histor. of Ireland in S. Patrick) that as I haue declared before,
both Catholick and Protestant antiquaries so assuring vs, it was giuen for a distinctiue signe, by the deuils and magiciens of Ire∣land, to the then Pagan inhabitants therof, before the cominge of S. Patrick thither, to know him and his Christian disciples by, that they should sett their Altar, say Masse, and pray towards the east, as wee general∣lie see chauncels & high altars of Christian churches are framed. Therefore wee may be secure, that hitherto the church of Rome and Britanie agreed in these misteries, no∣thinge added yet by any Pope, which the Britans did not embrace. For better testi∣monie whereof we are told by the antiqua∣ries of Cambridge, that Kinge Arthur in his charter of priuiledge, to that schole, or vniuersitie, bearinge date at London, in the yeare of Christ 531. doth therin expres∣se, that hee giueth that confirmation with the counsaile and assent of all and euery Bi∣shops, and nobles of his kingdome, and licence of the see Apostilick of Rome. Consilio & con∣sensu omnium & singulorum Pontificum & Principum istius regni, & licentia sedis Apo∣stolicae. (Io. Caius l. 1. antiquit. pag. 69. Diplo∣ma Regis Arthuri 7. die Aprilis an. 531. Lon∣dini
apud Caium supr. pag. 68.69.70.) ther∣fore if the then Kings of Britanie, and all the Bishops, and Noble men thereof, by which the rest were gouerned, did then so firmly adhere to the Pope of Rome in mat∣ters of Religion, that they would not ioyne in such an Act, without his licence, no man will thinke, there was or then could be any difference in Religion betweene them. And to cōfirme vs the more in this great vnion, and amitie of Rome and Britanie, in such affaires, at this time of Pope Vigilius, and Kinge Arthur, our protestants Matthew of Westminster telleth vs. (Matth. Westm. an. 533. that this Religious Kinge committed Walwan sonne to Loth his sisters sonne, Who should haue inherited the kingedome of Norwey to Pope Vigilius to bee brought vp, when hee was but 12. yeares of age, and that hee was knighted by him. Erat autem Wal∣wanus filius praedicti Loth, duodecim annorum iuuenis, Vigilio Papae traditus ad nutriendum, à quo etiam & militiae cingulum accepit. How farr this Pope intermeddled in ordering the prefaces in Masse, I haue said before, & these protestants being silent therin, thereby rest contented in that point.
4. The next additioner with these pro∣testants, is the next Pope, Pelagius the first: who as these men say, gaue allowance that in time of Lent preists might say Masse at the ninth hower of the day, which is three of the clocke in the afternoone by our ac∣compt. In quadrage sima presbytero licere sacra facere hora nona pronuntiauit. (Rob. Barnes in Pelag. 1.) an other saith: vt quadrag esimali tempore hora nona sacrificulis missare liceret. (Bal. in Pelag. 1.) but this was but a cere∣mony, and argued, how reuerent and de∣uout preists were, in that time, to this holy sacrifice, that they did, and would fast so longe to say Masse, so nere the time it was instituted by Christ, and Christ was offe∣red vpon the Crosse, this proueth, they were not protestants in that time, which neither reuerence Masse, nor fast so longe, or at all in Lent. But they add of this Pope: mortuo∣rum memorias approbauit, ac lucri gratia mis∣sis adiecit. Hee approued the memories of the dead, and for gaine added them to Mas∣ses. (Bal. in Pelag. 1.) but this Protestant Bi∣shop is either very forgetfull, or maketh no scruple to contradict himselfe, for he telleth vs before in the life of Saint and Pope Siri∣cius
lōge before S. Celestine sent S. German and the rest into these parts, that this S. Sy∣ricius adioyned memories vnto Masses, and yet died a confessor in the yeare of our Lord 399. Syricius Missae memorias adiunxit, & anno Domini 399. confessor occubuit. (Balaeus. l. 2. de Act. Pontif. Rom. in Syricio.) and Tertullian in his time setteth it downe for an Aposto∣licall tradition, to say Masse for the deade, and keepe their anniuersary daies, oblatio∣nes pro defunctis, pro natalitijs annua die faeci∣mus. (Tertul. l. de coron. milit. cap. 3.) S. Ci∣prian S. Chrisostome and others haue the like. And our protestants haue confessed be∣fore, that it was an Apostolicall tradition to say Masse for the dead, and that Aerius was iustly condemned of heresie, and for an hereticke for his denyall thereof. And wee had here in Britanie many foundations to say Masse, and pray for Christian soules, and frends deceased, as we find in the char∣ter of Kinge Arthur before recited, wherin among other motiues of that his confirma∣torie priuiledge to the vniuersitie of Cam∣bridge, hee saith expressely, that hee doth it, with the consent of all his Bishops, for the helpe of the soules of his antecessors
Kings of Britanie. Pro amore caelestis patriae, remedioque animarum Antecessorum meorum Britāniae Regum. Charta Regis Arthuri apud Caium supr. antiq. Cantabr. l. 1. pag. 69.
5. After this Pope, vntill they come to S. Gregory, these protestants complaine of no additions, but onely in Pope Pelagius the second, which was the immediate pre∣decessor to S. Gregory, and sent him, yet a priuate preist, his legate to Constanti∣nople: of this Pope they write: nouem prae∣fationes ante canonem in Missa canendas de dit. Hee gaue nyne prefaces to bee sunge before the canon in Masse. (Bal. in Pelag. 2. l. 2. in Act. Pontif. an other thus more particularly expresseth it: Pelagtus nouem praefationes Ec∣clesiae de dit ante canonem, in Missa canendas: in Natali, in Epiphania, in Quadragesima, de Cruce, de Resurrectione, de Ascensione, in Pē∣tecoste, de Trinitate, de Apostolis· (Barnes in Pelag. 2. in vit. Pont.) Pelagius gaue nyne prefaces to the church, to bee sunge before the canon in Masse, one in the natiuitie of Christ, an other in the Epiphanie, in Lent, of the Crosse, of the Resurrection, of the Ascension, at Whitsontyde, of the Trinitie, of the Apostles. I haue answered this be∣fore,
in Pope Gelasius, to whome these pro∣testants before contradictinge them selues ascribe the preface, how vaine this quarrell is I haue there declared, and onely add here from theire protestant like published Mat∣thew of Westminster: Anno gratiae 581. Papa Pelagius decreuit nouem praefationes tā∣tum ad Missas debere cantari, cassatis quoti∣dianis quae dici solebant. In the yeare of gra∣ce 581. Pope Pelagius decreed that only nine prefaces should bee sunge at Masse omit∣tinge the daily prefaces which were wont to bee said. Where wee see that this Pope did not add any thinge in this busines, but rather deducted some prefaces, though they had beene vsed to bee said before, for so the words, dici solebant, manifestly proue, as I wrote of Pope Vigilius before. All which doe euidentlie testifie, that the auncient re∣ceued custome of the church of Christ was longe before these dayes, to vse these pre∣faces.
NOw wee are come to the happy dayes of S. Gregory the great, that sent so many holy men, to preach Christian Reli∣gion to this English nation, and so called our Apostle, in which it will bee more ma∣nifest, euen by these protestant accusers themselues, that whatsoeuer differēce there was, betweene the holy disciples which he sent hither, and some Britans, the error in
euery point was in those that opposed a∣gainst the Roman mission. And for S. Gre∣gory himselfe, one of the four holy Doctors of the church of Christ, he was by all testi∣monies a great learned man, & holy Saint, and so honored both in the Greeke and La∣tine church, and the Masse hee vsed as our protestants haue told vs. (Edw. Sands rela∣tion of Relig. supr.) both was, and is rece∣ued and publickly vsed euen in the Greeke church, beeing translated into Greeke: hee is stiled by all writers protestants and Ca∣tholicks, Gregory the great, and common∣lie named the Apostle of the English na∣tion, in all publicke protestant Kalenders placed amonge the holy Saints, and by a Protestant Bishop his greatest accuser, dig∣nified, with these honorable termes. (Bal. l. 2. de Act. Pontific. Rom. in Gregorio Magno.) Gregorius Magnus omnium Pontificum seu vt dictum est Patriarcharum Romanorum, doctri∣na, & vita praestantissimus: inuitus ac demu•…•… coactus Pelagio praedicto successit, vir doctus & bonus. Gregory the great the most excel∣lent both for learninge and life, of all the Romane Popes or Patriarkes, did against his will, and at laste therto compelled, suc∣ceed
Pelagius the second, hee was a learned and good man. Therefore it cannot bee ei∣ther probable, or possible, that a man so learned, vertuous, and holy, that hee is thus dignified by so great enemies, both for lear∣ninge and pietie aboue all the Popes that e∣uer were so learned, & knowne holy Saints, and so vnwillinge to take that greatest ho∣nor, and charge vpon him, would or could contrary both to so great learning, and pie∣tie, which could not consist with any the least error in Religion in essentiall things, make any erroneous publick decree in such affaires. For in so doinge hee should haue beene so farr from that eminent learninge, and pietie, and beinge a glorious Saint in heauen, which both by protestants and Ca∣tholicks are generally held and written of him, that quite contrary hee should haue beene an vnlearned, wicked, and damned man. Which no tonge or mouth that hath learned to cōfesse Christ, dareth to affirme or vtter.
2. But to giue all contentment, I will examine all whatsoeuer in particular, they say this so holy learned Pope added, or alte∣red in these misteries, as they pretend. This
Protestant Bishop saith of him (Bal. l. 2. supr. in Gregor. Mag.) introitum in Missa ex ali∣quo psalmo cancre iussit. Hee commaunded the introite in the Masse to bee sunge out of some psalme. They haue told vs before of more auncient times wherein the introite was vsed, before S. German, Lupus, Palla∣dius & Patricius were sent into these parts. But if S. Gregory did any such thing, seeing it was ex aliquo psalmo, out of the holy scrip∣ture, neither these men, nor any which will not disallow of holy scripture, may repre∣hend it. And where this protestant accuser further saith: Nonies in Missa, Kyrie eleyson canere iussit. S. Gregory commaunded that Lord haue mercy vpon vs, should bee sunge 9. times in Masse. Hee is deceued, for that is songe but 6. times, and Christ haue mercy vpon vs, thrise: And his frend Master Foxe. (Io. Foxe in Q. Mary pag. 1401.) will tell him, that this was the auncient custome of the Greeke church longe before, frō which is was taken by S. Gregory, only that S. Gre∣gory added, Christ haue mercy vpon vs. But howsoeuer is it not a moste holy and war∣ranted custome, so to pray? our protestants thēselues obserue it in their publick church
seruice. (Com. booke tit. Litan. & alibi.) and commonlie preferr them before all other prayers, both in their priuate, and publicke writings.
3. Of S. Gregories addinge, diesque no∣stros in tua pace disponas, and dispose our dayes in peace, and graunt wee bee deliuered from eternall damnation, and numbred in the flock of thy elect. I haue spoken before, & here only I add, that S. Bede, whome this Protestant Bishop. (Io. Bal. l. de scriptor. Britan. centur. 1. in Beda Girwino.) doth equall or rather preferr before S. Gregory, S. Augustine, S. Hierome, and S. Chrisostome, those great lights of Christs church, doth say, that these wordes which S. Gregory added in the ho∣lie Masse, are words ful of greatest perfection: Beatus Papa Gregorius in ipsa Missarum cele∣bratione, tria verba maximae perfectionis plena superadiecit, diesque nostros in tua pace dispo∣nas, atque ab aeterna damnatione nos cripi, & in electorum tuorum iubeas grege numerari. (Beda Eccles. histor. l. 2. cap. 1.) in which place hee also commendeth him, for cau∣singe in the churches of S. Peter and S. Paul at Rome, Masses to be said ouer their bodies. Fecit inter alia beatus Papa Gregorius, vt in
Ecclesijs beatorum Apostolorum Petri & Pauli super corpora eorū Missae celebrarentur. Which sacred bodies of those two glorious Apo∣stles, this lewde protestant superintendent, & therin as his phrase teacheth, a V•…•…gilan∣tian hereticke, calleth the deade •…•…arcasses of the Apostles, so as wee terme the deade bodies of beastes, and therefore disliketh S. Gregory for that institution: super Aposto∣lorum mortua cadauera Missas celebrari man∣dauit. (Bal. l. 2. de Act. Pontif. Rom. in Gre∣gor. Magno.) but though it doth not belonge to this place, and my promise, yet to free S. Gregory from all pretended error in any matter, I wil shew in the next chapter, when I come to speake of the brittish preists, and Bishops of this age, that they were as farr engaged in this doctrine of reuerēce to ho∣lie relicks, as either S. Gregory, or his dis∣ciples hee sent hither were, or the Catho∣licks of the present Roman church bee at this time. The same I wil demonstrate con∣cerning the doctrine of Indulgences, an o∣ther pretēded blott, which they would gla∣dly find out, to staine, and blemish the glory of that great Doctor, Pope, and Saint.
4. And whereas this protestant Bishop
saith of this holy Pope: Hee admitted Mas∣ses for the dead, Missas pro mortuis admisit, I haue often shewed by these protestants, that this was vsed from the beginninge. And whereas hee obiecteth. (Bal. supr. in Greg. Magno.) that S. Gregory first instituted Candelmasse day, and palme sonday, with solemnitie of procession, though these bee but ceremoniall, yet he contradicteth him∣selfe, knowinge and acknowledginge, that processions were longe before in vse, and that Candelmasse day was kept with can∣dels in the time of Pope Vigilius, and by his approbation: candelarū festum instituit. (Bal. in Vigilio l. 2. Act. Pontific. Rom.) whereas this man saith in S. Augustine, S Gregories disciple, that hee brought hither altars, vesti∣ments, holy vessels, relicks, and bookes of cere∣monies, introduxit altaria, vestimenta, vasa sacra, reliquias, & ceremoniarum codices. (Bal. l. de scriptor. Britan. l. 1. in Augustino. Mo∣nocho.) I haue shewed already, that all these were in vse with the Christiā Britans longe before, and this protestant obiector among others, so acknowledgeth in diuers, both Scots, and Britans, in this Iland, and in the life of S. Patrick he receueth as S. Patricks,
the epistle written in his name: Patricius scripsit ad Aualonios Inculas epistolam. (Bal. centur. 1. Gild. l. de excid. Bed. l. v. histor. Ec∣cles. Bal. centur. 1. in Brigida Lagin. Kente∣gern. Patric. Iona. Monacho & alijs.) in which hee proueth both S. Patricke, S. Pope Cele∣stine, S. Pope Eleutherius, and his Legates S. Damianus, and Fugatianus in Kinge Lu∣cius time, and all the Britans in those times, to haue beene as great Patrons, and practi∣sers of these doctrines and customes, which hee disliketh in S. Gregory & his disciples, as any of them thē was, or any learned Ca∣tholicke at this present is. Thus f•…•…rr these protestants exceptions against the doctrine of S. Gregory, and his disciples, all turning to theire glory, and confusion of the prote∣stant accusers by their owne sentence.
5. To which I will add one thing more from our holy contrimā S. Aldelmus schol∣ler to S. Gregory as his words import, who thus relateth an addition of S. Gregorie to the canon of the Masse, which our prote∣stants doe not remember in their oblations. (S. Adelmus l. de laudib. Virginitat. cap. 22.) mihi operae pretium videtur, vt Sanctae Aga∣thae rumores castissimae Virginis Luciae praeco∣nia
subsequantur: Quas Praeceptor & pedago∣gus noster Gregorius, in canone quotidiano, quando Missarum solemnia celebrantur copu∣lasse cognoscitur, hoc modo in Catalogo Marty∣rum ponens: Faelicitate, Anastasia, Agatha, Lucia. It is a thinge worth labour, that after speach of S. Agatha (he speaketh of the praise of virginitie) the praises of the moste chaste Virgin Lucia, should follow, which our Master and Instructor Gregory, is knowne to haue cou∣pled in the daily canon, when the solemnities of Masse are celebrated, placing them thus in the Catalogue of Martyrs: Faelicitas, Anastasia, Agatha, Luciae. But this rather maketh a∣gainst protestant quarrels, in this kinde, for they contendinge against the doctrine of prayer to Saints, are taught here, that it was the auncient custome of Gods church to pray vnto them, euen in their publick Mas∣ses. (can. Miss. §. nobis quoque peccatoribus.) for S. Gregory did here onely add S. Aga∣tha, and S. Lucia, vnto the others, which were in the canon before, copulasse cognos∣citur, and bee very many in particular, as appeareth in that place, besides all the Apo∣stles and holy Martyrs in generall, cum tuis Sanctis Apostolis, & Martyribus: and the
words, in canone quotidiano, in the daily ca∣non of Masse, are an euident conuiction, that the daily canon of Masse was vsed, and this honor of Saints also therin before this time: as wee see in all old Masses, Greeke, Latine, or Syriake. And I haue before pro∣ued, that this holy doctrine was euer from the beginning of Christianity in this king∣dome reuerently obserued. Of the truth and excellency of S. Gregories and S. Augusti∣nes Religion planted amonge the Saxons, I haue spoken sufficiently in all things in my ecclesiasticall historie at large.
6. To proue it breifly in this place more sound and perfect then the Religion of the Christian Britans, so dignified by our pro∣testant writers, I first vse them for witnes∣ses thereof. And first the present Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury D. George Ab∣bots, the director of Master Frauncis Ma∣son, and this his directed scribe thus write, producinge the Brittish Bishops themselues at that time so acknowledginge. (George Abbot and Franc. Mason l. 2. of consecrat. of Bish. cap 4. pag. 59.) The brittish Bishops con∣fessed, that they vnderstood that to be the true way of righteousnes, which Augustine had
preached. Yea the faith which S. Augustine brought, and that which the Britans had be∣fore, must needs be one and the same in all ma∣teriall and substantiall points. Wherefore wee cannot excuse the Britans, for refusing to ioyne with him in the conuersion of the Saxons. The like haue, Stowe, Howes, Hollinshed and other protestants. (Stowe and Howes histor. in K. Ethelbert. Holinsh. hist. of Engl. l. 5. cap. 15. pag. 96. pag. 97. an. 581.) shewinge di∣rectly, that the Christian Britans at the co∣ming of S. Augustine, and his companions, were farr inferiour vnto them, both in ho∣lines of life, and puritie of doctrine. Which is testified with great lamētation by S. Gil∣das a Britane, S. Bede writer of the brittish history. (Gildas l. de excid. & conquest. Brit. Bed. histor. Eccl. l. 1. Galfrid. Monument. hist. Reg. Brit. l. 10. & 11.
7. And if wee discend vnto the particu∣lar differences, which then were betweene S. Augustine, and the Britans, there is not any one to bee found in any antiquitie, that concerned the questions I haue in hand, but in them there was an vniforme consent by all writers, onely I finde that they differed in some ceremonies about the consecration
of Bishops, but in no materiall thinge. (S. Asaph. in vit. S. Kentegerni. M. S. in vit. e∣ius & Capgrau. in Catal. in Kenteg.) and our protestants differ from them both therein. For the Britans did then consecrate Bishops with anointing their heads with holy Chrisme, Inuocation of the holy Ghost, Benediction, and Imposition of handes: Mos in Britannia inole∣uerat in consecratione Pontificum tantummodo capita eorum sacri Chrismatis infusione perun∣gere, cum inuocatione Sancti Spiritus, & Be∣nedictione, & manus Impositione. And the Romans besides these necessarie things, in that consecration, kept and obserued the decrees of the holy Canons, in this busines; Which the Britans did not omit for any dis∣like they had of those sacred ceremonies, but by distance of place, and infested with Pagans inuasions, were ignorant of the ca∣nons, as our Authors say: Insulam enim quasi extra orbem positi, emergentibus Paganorum infestationibus, canonum erant ignari· (M. S. de vita S. Kenteger· antiq. & Capgrau supr. in eod.) and yet our protestants both know∣inge the canonicall institutions, and what both the Romans and Britans, with all the Christian worlde at that time, thought
to bee essentiall, and necessary in this holy Sacrament, neither follow the one, or other, and so by al iudgement, haue depriued them selues of lawfull and true Bishops, and con∣sequentlie of all true cleargie men, which cannot be without true and lawful Bishops, such as they want, to consecrate them.
8. The other differences betwene S. Au∣gustine, and the Britans, may appeare out of the words of S. Augustine vnto them, re∣lated by S. Bede, and others, and thus sett downe by our protestant historians. Au∣gustines oration breifly was thus. (Bed. histor. Eccles. l. 2. cap. 2. Stowe and Howes histor. in Kentish. Saxons. K. Ethelbert.) although deare bretheren, in many other points yee doe contrary to our custome, or rather contrary to the custome of the vniuersall church of Christ: yet notwithstandinge if yee will in these three things consent vnto mee, that is, to celebrate the easter in due time, to accomplish the mi∣nisterie of Baptisme accordinge to the Roman, and Apostolick church, and last of all to preach with vs to this English nation, the vvord of our Lord, all your other ceremonies, rites, and customes, though they bee contrary to ours, yet vvee vvill vvillinglie suffer, and bee content
to beare vvith them. But they ansvvered they vvoulde doe none of these thinges requested. Where wee see, that S. Augustine and the Britans did differ principally, in these three things, and by our protestants themselues, S. Augustine held the truth in them, and the Britans were in error. And so likewise in all other ceremonies rites and customes then cōtrouersed: for S. Augustine iustifieth that the Britans in them all were, contrary to the custome of the vniuersall church of Christ. In multis quidem nostrae consuetudini, immo vni∣uersalis Ecclesiae contraria geritis. And their learned contriman Gyraldus Cambrensis diuers hundreds of yeares since, beeing as a protestant, Bishop stileth him, vetustae cog∣nitionis verè helluo, an vnsatiable seeker forth of antiquities, with protestants allow∣ance thus setteth downe the ceremonies of the Britans, wherein they differed from all other churches, in this order. Bal. l. de scrip∣tor. Britan. in Gyrald. Cambren. cent. 2. Gy∣rald. Cambren. descript. Cambr. cap. 18. Dauid Powell ib.
9. De quolibet pane apposito primum frac∣tionis angulum pauperibus donant. Of euerie loafe of breade sett before them, they giue the
first corner they breake to the poore. They sitt three and three together, at dinner in memo∣rie of the Trinitie. They cast away theire ar∣mour, and bare headed aske the benediction of euery Monke or preist, or any wearinge the habit of Religion: The people doth greatly, and more then other nations, desire confirmation by a Bishop, and Inunction of Chrisme, by which the grace of the holy Ghost is giuen. They giue tythes of all things they possesse, cattell, sheepe sometimes whē either they marry wiues, or go on pilgrimage, or correct their life by the coun∣saile of the church. Aboue all forreine labour, moste willingly going on pilgrimage to Rome, they more readily vvith deuout mindes adore the Tombes of the Apostles. Wee see they yeeld deuout reuerence to churches and ecclesiastical men, and relicks of Saints, and portable bells, vvouen books, and the crosse, & giue farr more honor to all these then any other nation. The immunities of theire churches, farr exceedeth the Indulgence of the canons. You shall not see any vvhere the Eremites and Anachorites of greater abstinence, or more spirituall. And speakinge of the Britans in the time of S. Germanus, and Lupus, when they were troubled with Pelagianisme, and first ir∣ruptions
of the Pagan Saxōs, these Authors say. These customes and ceremonies of the Britans continued from them, to the time of Gyraldus Cambrensis, that died in the yeare of Christ 1190. ab eorundem doctrina haec, vt fertur, vsqe in hodiernum documenta tenuerunt.
10. Thus wee haue learned all the diffe∣rences, that were betweene S. Augustine, and the Britans: and finde, that S. Augus∣tine was the innocent partie in them all. For amonge all these laste recited, where any thinge is remembred as singular, and differing from other churches, it is the case of the Britans, and the Romans agreed with the common and receued customes of the church of Christ: And concerninge those doctrines and customes which our protes∣tants doe moste dislike in S. Gregory, and S. Augustine, with his associates, and the now present Roman church, which are pil∣grimages, and especially to Rome, with the honor of that holy Apostolicke see, reue∣rence of holy relicks, Indulgences, honor to sacrificinge massinge preists, and Reli∣gious men, and more Sacraments then pro∣testants admit, as namely the Sacrament of
confirmation, giuinge of the grace of the holy Ghost, by anointinge with sacred Chrisme, reuerencing of the crosse, and ho∣lie images, wee see by the testimony both of the Britans, and protestants themselues, that these were more zelously obserued of the Christian Britans at that time, whose faith and Religion is so much commended by our protestant writers, then they were by S. Gregory, or S. Augustine then, or be at this time by the present church of Rome, and the members therof.
11. Therfore it being the common and generally receued opinion, both of our En∣glish Protestant Bishops, as Parker, Bale, Godwin, with others, and their Doctors and antiquaries as Powel, Foxe, Fulke, Mid∣dleton, Gosceline, Stowe, Howes, Holin∣shed, and too many to be recited, that at the cominge of S. Augustine hither, the faith and Religion of the Christian Britans here, was in all materiall points sounde, and per∣fect, and the same which they receued in the time of the Apostles, much more and rather must they needes yeeld, and allowe that honor, to the Religion and doctrine of S. Augustine, and the other disciples of S.
Gregory, which they preached and planted here, being by so many and all humane tes∣timonies before acknowledged in all mat∣ters controuersed betweene them, to be the vndoubted true, and perfect Religion of Christ. Parker. antiquit· Britan. pag. 6.45.46. Balaus l. 2. de Act. Pontific. in Gregorio Magno & l. de scriptor. Brit. centur. 1. in Au∣gustin. Dionotho. Godvvin. conuers. of Brit. Povvell annotat. in l. 2. Giraldi Cambr. de Iti∣nerar. Cambr. cap. 1. Foxe Act. and Mon. pag. 463. edit. an. 1576. Fulke ansvv. to counterf. Cathol. pag. 40. Middlet. Papistom. pag 202.) Io. Goscelin. hist. Eccl. de vit. Arch. Cantuar. Stovve and Howes hist. in K. Ethelbert. Ho∣linsh, histor. of Engl. cap. 21. pag. 102.
12. And to make all sure, and vnquestio∣nable, except with athests, and infidels, ene∣mies to Christ himselfe, wee haue both the present and propheticall witnesse of God himselfe, that by no possibilitie can deceiue vn in this case, and this confessed, and re∣ceued euen by our protestant writers, who first assure vs, that in the controuersie bet∣weene the Britans and S. Augustine, God gaue so miraculous testimony, for S. Au∣gustine & his Roman companions to teach
the truth in all thinges controuersed then betweene them and the Britans, that the Britans were therby so extraordinarily con∣uicted, and confounded (to speake in pro∣testant wordes) that they confessed in deede, that to bee the true way of righteousnes which Augustine had preached, and shewed them. (Stowe and Howes histor. in K. Ethelbert.) and God could not possibly giue other tes∣timony by these protestants, and all lear∣ninge, except hee would or could (blasphe∣mie to affirme) contradict himselfe, for by all professors of Christian Religion he had promised, that Catholicke church vniuer∣sall should neuer err, and yet protestants with others thus confesse: all other churches throughout the world agreed with Augustine in Christ. Of Gods propheticall testimonie hereof wee haue many witnesses, Catho∣licks and Protestants, S. Asaph in the life of S. Kentegern, many Manuscripts, the Brittish history, Matthew of Westminster, with others for Catholicks; and amonge protestants, their first Protestant Archbi∣shop of Canterbury, their protestant Bishop Bale, with others. (S. Asaph. in vit. S. Ken∣tegern. M. S. antiq. in eod. Galfr. Monum. l.
7. cap. 3. Matth. Westm. an. 465. Matth. Parker. antiquit. Britan. pag. 49. Io. Bal. l. de script. Britan. cent. 1. in Kentegern.) this last speakinge of the Pagan Saxons inuadinge this kingdome, and ouerthrowinge Chri∣stian Religion, bringeth S. Kentegern thus to prophesie lōge before, how S. Augustine and his associats should restore it againe, not onely vnto the auncient state of Religion, but a better then it enioyed in the time of the Bri∣tans. Christianae legis Religio vsque ad praefi∣nitum tempus dissipabitur. Sed in pristinum statim immo meliorem miserante Deo in fine reparabitur.
13. The auncient Manuscript history of S. Kentegerns life, S. Asaph, Capgraue and others say, S. Kentegern prophesied this, and publickly told it, to his disciples at the time of the death of S. Dauid, which as our pro∣testants write, was aboue 50. yeares before the cominge of S. Augustine hither. (M. S. antiq. de vita S. Kentegerni. Io. Copgrau. in S. Kentegerno Episcopo & Confessore.) who beeing at that time as often, very earnest at his prayers, and much lamentinge, after being demaūded by his disciples the cause of his great sorrowe, after a short silence, thus answered:
Knovve you my dearest children that S. Da∣uid the ornament of Britanie, Father of his contry, is euen novv loosed from the prison of his flesh, and gone to the heauenly kingdome. Vnderstand you that Britanie depriued of so great a light, shall lamēt the absence of so great a patrone, who opposed him selfe against the sword of God, halfe drawne against it, for the wickednes of the inhabitants thereof, that it should not be fully drawne and bringe it to de∣struction. Our Lord will giue Britanie ouer to forreine nations, that know him not. And the Isle shall bee emptied of the inhabitants, by Pa∣gans. The Religion of the lawe of Christ shall bee destroyed, vntill a certaine time in it. But by the mercy of God, it shall be againe repayred vnto the former, and vnto a better state then it was before. Seruo Dei quodam die prolixius orationi intento, facies eius quasi ignea appa∣rens stupore & extasi circumstantes repleuit. Intucbantur enim faciem eius tanquam vul∣tum Angeli stantis inter illos. Completa oratio∣ne, grauissimis lamentis se dedit. Et cum disci∣puli causam tristitiae humiliter ab eo peterent, paulisper in silentio residens, tandem ait. No∣ueritis filij charissimi, Sanctum Dauid decus Britanniae, patrem patriae, carnis carcerem modo
egressum, regna caelestia penetrasse. Credite mi∣hi, quod non solum Angelorum multitudo in gaudium Domini sui illum introduxit, sed & Dominus noster Iesus Christus ei obuiam pro∣cedens, ad portas paradisi gloria & honore co∣ronauit eum, me vidente. Scitote etiam quod Britannia tanto lumine orbata, tanti patroni lugebit absentiam: qui gladio Domini propter malitiam inhabitantium semi euaginato super illam, ne penitus ad internitionem extractus percuteret semetipsun opponebat. Tradens tra∣det Dominus, Britanniam exteris nationibus Deum ignorantibus: sed & à Paganis ab indi∣genis euacuabitur insula, Christianae legis Re∣ligio vsque ad praefinitum tempus dissipabitur in ea: sed in pristinum stati•…•…, immo meliorem miserante Deo iterum reparabitur.
14. Our protestant historians doe like∣wise relate the actuall chaunge of Religion here then for the better, and for better prea∣chers in these wordes, (Edvv. Hovves and Stovve histor. in K. Ethelbert. Gild. l. de ex∣cid.) Amonge many the Britans doings which their ovvne historiographer Gildas doth la∣mentably sett forth in vvritinge, hee saith of them thus, that they neuer tooke care to preach the ghospell of Christ vnto the Angles, and
Saxons, vvhich inhabited the land amonge them. But yet the goodnes of God prouided for the said nation of the said Angles, much more vvorthie preachers by vvhome they might be brought to the faith. And then immediatly they set downe S. Augustine, Mellitus, Ius∣tus, and Iohn, with others sent hither by S. Gregory, to bee these much more vvorthie preachers, by vvhom this nation was brought to the faith. And this might suffice in this matter, but for the ful clearing of al doubts, I will further & fully proue, how al preists and Bishops in Britanie in this age, were sa∣crificing massing preists: and the best lear∣ned and most holy amonge them, did in all things ioyne with the Popes, and church of Rome; and they which opposed moste a∣gainst S. Augustine, and his associates sent from thence in some ceremoniall customes, did in these points & all others which pro∣testants most dislike in Catholick Romane Religion, vtterly disagree from these prote∣stants, and hold the same doctrine & prac∣tise generally, as S. Augustine did, and the members of the present Romane Aposto∣lick church doe at this day.
IN the later end of the fift hundred of yea∣res, of Christ, I made relation, how a∣monge many others, those two renowned massinge preists, S. Dubritius the great Archbishop of Caerlegion, and the Popes Legate, made Bishop by the massing Bishop and Legate of the see Apostolicke, and S. Iltutus disciple of the same massing Bishop and Legate S. Germanus were Tutors, and Masters in Religion and diuinitie, not only to the cleargie of this Iland but many o∣thers, and neither did, nor could teach them any other doctrine in these points, then they had receued from others, and practised by themselues, about holy preisthood, and sa∣crifice of Masse; And as both protestants & other antiquaries tell vs, both these liued 20. yeares at the leaste, in the beginninge
of this sixt age, S. Iltutus beeing aliue and florishinge in the yeare 520. claruit anno à Christi natiuitate 520. and S. Dubritius li∣uinge two yeares after, obijt anno gratiae 522. (Bal. l. de scriptor. Britan. cent. 1. in Ilchtuto. & in Dubritio. Godw. Catal. in S. Dauids. in Dubritius.) therefore wee may boldly say, that among so great numbers of their mas∣sing schollers, many of them liued a great part, if not all this age. The auncient Ma∣nuscript of the Saints of Wales, the Apolo∣gist of the antiquitie of Cambridge, and others thus testifie of S. Dubritius. (M. S. antiq. de vit. Sanctorum Wall. in S. Dubritio. Io. Caius l. 1. de antiquit. Cantabr. Academ. pag. 145.146.) Creuit illius fama cum vtrius∣que legis, nouae & veteris peritia per totā Bri∣tanniam, ita quod ex omni parte totius Britan∣niae scholares veniebant, non tantum rudes, sed etiam viri sapientes & Doctores ad eum studendi causa confluebant. Imprimis Sanctus Helianus, Sampson discipulus suus, Vbelnius, Merchiguinus, Elguoredus, Gunuinus, Lon∣gual, Artbodu, Longur, Arguistil, Iunabin, Conbram, Goruan, Guernabin, Iouan, Elhe∣harn, Iudnon, Curdocui, Aidan, Cinuarch, & cum his mille clericos per septem annos conti∣nuo
in podo seu pago Hentlan super ripam Guy, in studio literarum diuinae sapientiae & huma∣nae retinuit. Where we see he had a thousand schollers at one time, and place, seuen yea∣res together that were clergy men students in diuinitie, and in an other place, called in the Brittish languadge Mocros, miracu∣lously assigned vnto him, hee had as these antiquities say, innumerable schollers many yeares together, cum suis innumerabilibus dis∣cipulis mansit per plures annos regendo stu∣dium. l. de vit. Sanct. Wall. Caius sup. pag. 147.148. M. S. antiq. & Capgrau. in S. Iltuto & Tatheo.
2. The like they write of the scholes of S. Iltutus, and S. Tatheus, or as some call him Thatheus. The antiquaries of Cam∣bridge alleage for the immunities and pri∣uiledges of their vniuersitie, the auncient Charter dated at London in the yeare of Christ 531 of Kinge Arthur, that knowne reuerencer of sacrificing preists, and Masse. Charta priuileg. Arthuri an. 531. apud Caium antiq. Cantabrig. l. 1.) and both Catholicks and protestants testifie, that the auncient vniuersitie of Standford continued in this time, and vntill S. Gregory interdicted it for
heresies that fell amonge the Saxons and Bri∣tans together mixt. (Harding histor. in King Ethelbert. Stowe and Howes historie in Bla∣dud.) therefore wee may assure our selues, that notwithstandinge so many troubles, & alterations, as chaunced here in those daies, they continued the holy doctrine and cus∣tome of Masse, and sacrificinge preists; For S. Gregory so knowne and confessed a Pa∣tron and practiser of these thinges, neither would, nor could haue interdicted that vni∣uersitie, for any thinge which hee himselfe so embraced and honored. So that it is eui∣dent, that the whole kingdome of Britanie in this time followinge the doctrine which their scholes and vniuersities taught them, must needs then allowe these holy misteries of which I write. The same is euident, both by the Kings which then reigned here, as also by the Archbishops who ruled in Reli∣gious affaires. The Kings in the beginning of this age were Vther pendragon, who died about the yeare of Christ 515. beeinge for Religion of the same with the massinge Archbishops S. Dubritius and S. Sampson, with the sacrificinge Bishops, and preists, by whose generall consent he was crowned
Kinge. Vther conuocato regni clero, caepit dia∣dema Insula: annuētibusque cunctis sublimatus est in Regem. (Galfr. Mon. l. 8. cap. 17. Math. Westm. ad an. 498) and when his death was knowne they as solemly assembled to giue him Princely Christian buriall. Cum obitus Regis diuulgatus fuisset aduenerunt Pontifices cum clero regni: tuleruntque corpus eius ad caenobium Ambrij, & iuxta Aurelium Ambro∣sium more regio humauerunt.
2. Next was Kinge Arthur, how he was engaged in this holy doctrines it is sufficiēt Argument, that being but 15. yeares of age, and his birth by many not without excep∣tion, hee was with the generall applause both of the sacrificinge cleargie, and their ghostly children, crowned Kinge by S. Du∣britius the Popes Legate, and renowned massinge Archbishop, and primate of Bri∣tanie with the other massing Bishops ther∣of. Defuncto Vtherpendragon conuenerunt ex diuersis Prouincijs proceres Britonum, Dubri∣tio Vrbis Legionum suggerentes, vt Arthu∣rum filium Regis in Regem consecraret. Du∣britius associatis sibi Episcopis Arthurum regni diademate insignuit. (Galfrid. Mon l. 9. cap. 1. Matth. Westm. ad an. gratiae 516. Stowe
histor. Britans and Saxons in Arthur. Io. Bal. l. de script. Brit. cent. 1. in Dubritio. Godwin Catalog. in S. Dauids.) to this his whole life in fighting against the enemies of that holy Religion, the sacred churches, and altars which he reedified for that heauenly sacri∣fice, and charters of immunities which he graunted to the most knowne massing pla∣ces of Britanie, as Glastenbury and others, and the great reuerence he vsed to all mas∣singe preists and Prelates, are sufficient tes∣timony of this, and to bee seene allmost in all histories, Manuscripts and others of that time, and hee liued vnto the yeare of Christ 542. Now if wee come to the Archbishops & Bishops vnder them, Matthew of West∣minster and others tell vs, that for Yorke, that renowned massinge man S. Sampson was Archbishop there, 7. yeares after the be∣ginning of this age, anno gratiae 507. Florue∣runt in Britānia Sanctus Sampson Eboracensis Archiepiscopus, & S. Dubritius Vrbis Regio∣num Archiepiscopus. (Matth. Westm. an. 542. & alij. Matth. Westm. an. gratiae 507.) what a miraculous massing preist, and Prelate he was, I haue spoken in the former age.
3. That S. Dubritius ruled all in the Ar∣chiepiscopal
see of Caerlegion, where most both Bishops & preists were in these daies, at the least vntill the 16. yeare of this age I haue shewed before, whē S. Dubritius with the rest of the Bishops of Britanie crowned King Arthur in that yeare. Who was Arch∣bishop of London at this time, it is not so certainly remembred in particular. But the Author of the Brittish history translated by Galfridus assureth vs, that there was an Archbishop of London at this time, & that hee together with S. Dubritius Archbishop of Caerlegion, & the Archbishop of Yorke did crowne Kinge Arthur. Trium Metro∣politanarum sedium Archi Praesules, Londo∣niensis videlicet, Eboracensis, nec non ex vrbe Legionum Dubritius hic Britanniae primas, & Apostolicae sedis Legatus. (Galfr. Mon. histor. Reg. Brit. l. 9. cap. 12.13.) and by the cir∣cumstances of the history, these three Arch∣bishops performed that great solemne co∣ronation at the solēnitie of Masse, at which both the Kinge, these three Archbishops with the other Bishops of theire diuisions, and the nobilitie of Britanie were present. And this coronation is cheifely attributed to S. Dubritius, because it was in his dio∣cesse.
Dubritius quoniam in sua diocesi caria tenebatur, paratus ad celebrandum obsequium, huius rei curam suscepit, and he was the Po∣pes Legate. And all histories agree, that when the Bishops, and cleargie, either of London, or Yorke diuision, were persecu∣ted by the Pagans, they fledd for succour, to the knowne massinge preistes, and Pre∣lates of Caerlegion diocesse, communica∣tinge with them in Religion.
4. S. Dubritius waxinge old, and desi∣rous to liue a solitary and contemplatiue life, the holy Saint Dauid was miraculous∣lie chosen to succeed him. (Capgrau. in S. Dauid. Gyrald. Cambr. Itiner. Cambr. l. 2. cap. 1. Godwin in S. Dauids.) I haue shewed be∣fore, that he was the scholler of the massing preist, S. Iltutus, scholler of the massinge Prelate & Popes Legate S. Germanus. This holy Archbishop was so renowned a mas∣singe preist, and Prelate, that as wee reade both in auncient Manuscripts, and other histories, hee brought with from Hierusa∣lem, beeinge a pilgrime there, an holy and miracalous Altar, giuen him by the Patriake there, on which he consecrated the body of our Lord. In quo Dominicum consecrabat corpus.
(M. S. antiq. de vit. S. Dauidis. Capgrau. in Catalog. in eod.) and to make euident vnto all, that S. Dauid did say ordinarily Masse in Britanie, aswell as at Hierusalem, and likewise so did all the Bishops here of Bri∣tanie then, and with great solemnitie, to omitt many other memorable testimonies hereof, we reade in the antiquities of Glas∣tenbury, Capgrauius, and others, & a Pro∣testant Bishop writeth, that the history is still preserued engraued in Brasse at Wells in Sommersetshire, though hee somewhat minceth it, how S. Dauid and seuen other Bishops goinge to Glastenbury to dedicate the holy church there, Christ appeared vn∣to him the night before the intended dedi∣cation, and bid him absteine from dedica∣tinge it, for it had beene dedicated before to the blessed Virgin Mary his Mother. (M. S. antiq. & Io. Capgrau. Catalog. in S. Pa∣tricio. antiq. Glaston. Godwin conuers. of Brit. pag. 11.) and to testifie the truth of this vi∣sion, & testimony, left a miraculous wound in the right hand of S. Dauid, tellinge him how it should bee as miraculously healed as it was hurt, in this maner: crastina die cum Pontificalibus inductus, cum per ipsum, & cum
ipso, & in ipso, in Missa pronuntias, ipso qui tecum loquitur operante, per ipsum quem sacro conficies ore, vulnus quod nunc abhorres; nus∣quam esse videbis. Et cum sanctus iussa com∣plesset, sicut praedixit Dominus, efficitur sanus. To morrow when thou art adorned with thy pontificall vestiments, and shalt pro∣nounce in Masse the words by him, & with him, and in him, he that speaketh with thee workinge by him whome thou shalt make with thy sacred mouth, thou shalt see noe where the wound, which thou now abhor∣rest. And when the Saint had done as hee was commaunded, as our Lord foretold, he was made found. And it followeth in the same ātiquitie, preserued in Brasse by Tho∣mas Highes of Wells esquier, as that protes∣tant Bishop writeth heretofore, fixed vppon a piller of S. Iosephs chappell, which hee him∣selfe had read. Godwin supr. cap. 2. pag. 11.
5. Postea idem Episcopus Domino reuelante quendam cancellum in orientali parte haic Ec∣clesiae adiecit, & in honore beatae Virginis con∣secrauit, cuius altare inestimabili sapphiro in perpetuam huius rei memoriam insigniuit. Af∣terward the same Bishop (S. Dauid) by the reuelation of our Lord, did add a certaine
chauncell to this church, in the east parte, and consecrated it in the honor of the bles∣sed Virgin, whose Altar for perpetuall me∣mory of this thinge hee did adorne, with a sapphire of an inestimable price. Where we euidently see, the doctrine & practise, both of the Archbishop, and Bishops of Britanie, seuen of them beeing then present, to goe on pilgrimage, to holy places, and relicks, that they were sacrificing preists, said Mas∣se, and with great reuerence, and solemni∣tie, and in that holy sacrifice consecrated by consecratinge wordes of their mouthes, and offered the blessed body and blood of Christ, vsed the same canon wee now doe, as the wordes, per ipsum, & cum ipso, & in ipso, with the other circumstances tell vs, and so honored the holy Altars, whereon this heauēly sacrifice was offered, that they there offered inestimable guifts, and orna∣ments to honor them withall, which is as much as any preist of the present Roman church teacheth, or contēdeth at this time, or Catholicke Religion alloweth them to doe.
6. This renowned Archbishop so mira∣culous for his birth prophetically foretold,
his life, and death and so holy and pleasing vnto God, that as I haue shewed in him al∣readie, God spared to take vengeance on the sinnes of the Britans, for his sake, du∣ring his life, died in the yeare of Christ 546. but 50. yeares before S. Augustines coming hither, as our protestants themselues with others witnesse. (Bal. l. de scriptor. Britan. cent. 1. in Dauid Meneuiensi.) and by an other protestant which faith, he sate longe to witte, 65. yeares. (Godwin Catal. in S. Dauids 1. S. Dauid.) hee liued within 16. yeares or nea∣rer to S. Augustins arriuall in this kinge∣dome, an 596. for as I proued before, his predecessor S. Dubritius was Archbishop there, in the yeare 516. and after, and died not vntill the yeare 522. though in his old age he had a little before resigned his char∣ge to S. Dauid. (Godwin sup. in S. Dauids. in S. Dubritius. Bal. cent. 1. in eod. Galfr. Mon. l. 11. hist. Britan. cap. 3.) there is some ques∣tion in histories whether, as Giraldus Cam∣bronsis and some others say, Cenauc was immediate successor to S. Dauid, or S. The∣liaus, Telianus, Eliud, all one man, by o∣thers. (Girald. Cambr. Itiner. Cambr. l. 2. c. 1. Godw. M. S. Dauids antiquitat. Eccles. S.
Dauidis apud Godwin Catal. Epis. pag· 506. in S. Dauids.) but for this matter it mattereth nothing: for this Cenauc was scholler, and successor to S. Patern, that great knowne massinge preist and Prelate, companion to S. Dauid, in his holy pilgrimage: And so could not differ from these holy Saints, in so great questions in Religion. And for the other S. Telian or Eliud, there is no doubt, for hee was scholler to the renowned mas∣singe Prelate S. Dubritius, and by him so throughly instructed in diuinity, that being indued with the holy Ghost, hee could per∣fectly expound all difficulties of holy scrip∣tures. A sancto Dubritio Episcopo in scripturis sanctis eruditus fuit, donec explicaret. (M. S. de vita S. Theliai & Capgr· Catalog. in eod.) and was so vndiuided a companion of S. Dauid, his predecessor, not onely vnder their Master Paulinus (not vnprobably hee that liued to bee Archbishop of Yorke that great massing Prelate in S. Augustines time) but in his pilgrimage to Hierusalem, and so by Rome from which hee could not differ in Religion: and so intrely and nearely con∣ioyned in Religion, and affection, that as wee reade in his life, they were both of one
minde, perfectly in all things; Sanctum Da∣uid perfectae hominem vitae sibi associauit: quos tanta coniunxit dilectio & sancti spiritus gra∣tia, quod idem velle, & nolle ambobus esset. Therefore hee could not possibly, nor the Bishops and preists vnder him, differ from S. Dauid, in so great matters, but were wholly of the same mind, and practise with him in those thinges. And the church of Rome in all Catalogues receueth and ac∣knowledgeth him for an holy Saint, which it neuer did, will, or can doe, to any an ene∣mie and apposite vnto it, in those misteries. And this sacrificinge massinge Prelate, pro∣bably was Archbishop of Caerlegion a∣monge the Britans, at the cominge of S. Augustine hither, liuinge longe after that time, and as a late writer holdeth. (Engl. Martyrolog. die 25. Nouembr.) vntill the yeare of Christ 626. liuinge before diuers yeares amonge the massing preists and Bi∣shops of Fraunce, and not vnprobably was there when S. Augustine first landed here, and neither present at, or consenting vnto that opposition, to S. Augustine.
7. And concerninge the two other Ar∣chiepiscopall sees, London, and Yorke, al∣though
there is little memory left of Eccle∣siasticall affaires in them, beeing both with their whole diocesses in those times moste greeuously afflicted, and almoste wholly eaten and deuoured vpp, by the Pagan per∣secutors in Religious things; yet for these doctrines wee haue in hand, there is suffi∣cient testimonie left in antiquities, that so longe as the state of Christian Religion had publick and open profession, there was also there the like publicke vse, and exercise, of these points of Catholicke Religion; And after the external face of Christianitie was ouerthrowne, yet at the leaste in many pla∣ces, of those Prouinces, a priuate vse and exercise was still cōtinued of these articles, euen to the coming of S. Augustine and af∣ter, vntill the general conuersion of the Sa∣xons themselues. And for Yorke wee haue the knowne massing Prelate Pyramus cha∣peline to Kinge Arthur, that great Patron of sacrificinge preists & holy Masse, which as his place required, was deputed to say Masse, and ordinarily so did before that Re∣ligious Kinge. (Galfrid. Monum. l. 9. histor. Reg. Briton. cap. 8. Matth. Westm. an gratiae 522.) and as Thadiocus succeeded him in
place and dignitie so likewise hee was his successor in opinion, and practise in those questions, as will euidently appeare, if wee onely consider that they were both ordey∣ned by the authoritie & Legantine power, either of S. Dubritius or S. Dauid those fa∣mous massinge preists, Prelats, primats and Saints. But wee haue the generall warrants of the renowned S Gyldas Badonicus, which now liued and vntill within 16. vea∣res of S. Augustins cominge hither, flori∣shinge in the yeare of Christ 580. as a pro∣testant Bishop and antiquary with others writeth. (Bal. l. de scriptor. Britan. cent. 1. in Gilda Badonico.) & proueth that in this time all the preists of Britanie were, sacrificantes sacrificinge massinge preists, inter altaria, at the holy altars, the seates of the celestiall sacri∣fice, sedes caelestis sacrifi•…•…ij, and Probus that wrote the life of S. Patricke, in this age tes∣tifyinge as much. Gildas l. de excid. & con∣quest. Britan. Probus in vita S. Patricij inter opera S. Bedae.
8 And if we turne our eyes to looke into the further, and more northien parts of the diocesse of this Archiepiscopall see in Gol∣loway, and Albania, wee shall finde many
particular testimonies of this veritie. There wee shall finde S. Kentegern; that most mi∣raculous holy Saint, so far a massing preist, and Prelate, and after the Roman order, that hee had in his schole or monastery vn∣der him in the north of Britany, besides 600. that were not learned, 260 learned diuines, trayned vp to p•…•…eac•…•… and offer the holy sa∣crifice of Masse. (M. S antiq. de vit. S. Ken∣tegerni. Io Capgrau. Catal. in eod. Io. Bal. l. script. Britan. cent. 1•…•… in Kentern. Godwin Catal. in Asaph. Hector Bo•…•… Scotor. histor. l. 9.) and he had an other as great a schoole and compan•…•…e of massinge men in Britany, which he left to S. Asaph, and sent of these into all parts both of this our Britanie, and into other nations, as Norwey, and Island, beeing warranted in all these things by the Popes of Rome, where hee was seuen times on pilgrimage, Romam septies adijt; and in all things conformed himselfe to that holy Apostolicke church, and at his death, gaue strict ommaund to all vnder his charge, to be in all thinges obedient to the church of Rome: de Sanctorum Patrum decretis, sanctaeque Ro∣man•…•… Ecclesiae institutis firmiter custodiendis, fortia dedit, ac dereliquit praecepta. And that
hee liued either after, or vnto the cominge of S. Augustine I will demonstrate herafter.
9. And to come to London diocesse, now afflicted with Pagan persecutors, yet wee find Theonus a massinge preist and Prelate familiarly acquainted with S. Dauid, that massing Archbishop, hauing beene Bishop of Glocester before, to haue beene Archbi∣shop there in these times. A Protestant Bi∣shop writeth: Theonus being first Bishop of Glocester, forsooke it, and tooke the charge of London vpon him the yeare 553. (Godwin Ca∣talog. in London. in Theonus.) but the Brit∣tish historye, proueth him to haue beene Archbishop of London, before the death of S. Dauid: Theonus Glouecestrensis Episco∣pus, in Archiepiscopatum Londoniarum eligi∣tur. Tūc obijt sanctissimus Vrbis Legionum Ar∣chiepiscopus Dauid in Mineuia ciuitate. (Gal∣frid. Monum. histor. Reg. Brit. lib. 11. cap. 3.) and so hee must needs hee ordeyned Arch∣bishop, by the consent, and allowance of that massinge high Prelate, S. Dauid. And hee continued Archbishop there, vntill the yeare of Christ 586 when together with Thadiocus, Archbishop of Yorke, and very many of their cleargy they fled into Walles
and other places. (Matth. Westm. an. 586. Stowe histor. Galfrid. Monum. hist. l. 11. cap. 10.) And to proue all then were sacrificinge massinge preists here, S. Gildas then liuing at that time hath so before affirmed; the sa∣crificinge massinge which protestants and others confesse, to haue beene then in Lon∣don, and other places of that diocesse, con∣firme it; their flying for succour only to the places, where Masse and massinge preistes continued, as in Wales, Cornewayle, and little Britanie, manifestly conuince it to be so. Stowe histor. in Constantine 2. Galfr. Mo∣num. l. 11. histor. cap. 4.
10. This is proued by those holy chur∣ches, and massinge altars, which the Pa∣gans did reserue, and not destroye, by con∣uerting to them to the Idolatrous worship, and sacrifices of theire Pagan Gods. Si qua Ecclesia illoesa seruabitur, hec magis ad confusionem nominis Christiani quàm gloriam faciebant. Nempe ex cis deorum suorum tem∣pla facientes, prophanis suis sacrificijs, sancta Dei altaria polluerunt. (Matth. Westm. ad an. gratiae 58•…•….) And when aboue al other thin∣ges questioned, our protestants moste dis∣allowe the reuerence of holy relicks, and
not contendinge that there was any Chri∣stian Religion in these Archbishops & their cleargie, but either the massinge Religion, or their protestant profession, doe plainely confesse, that these were massinge preistes, and not Protestant Ministers, for they with other ātiquities acknowledg, that the grea∣test care which these two Archbishops, their Bishops, and preists had, in those tem∣pestuous times, was how to keepe with re∣uerence, and from irreuerence, the holy re∣licks of their Saints, & so notwithstanding so many daungers, and difficulties, carryed most of them vnto these places of their rest, and refuge, so farr off, Walles, Cornwaile, and Britanie in Fraunce. (Holinsh. histor. of Engl. Galfrid. Monument. histor. Reg. Brit∣tan. l. 11. cap. 10. Matth. Westm. an. gratiae 586.) Tunc Archipraesulis Theonus Londo∣niensis & Thadiocus Eborascensis, cum omnes Ecclesias sibi subditas solo tenus destructas vi∣dissent, cum pluribus ordinatis, cum reliquijs Sanctorum in Cambriam diffugerunt, timentes ne Barbarorum irruptione, tot & tantorum sa∣cra ossa veterum, à memorijs hominum deleren∣tur, si qua imminenti periculo minimè subtra∣xissent. Plures etiam Armoricanam Britan∣niam
petentes. Therefore no protestant can, will, or by the grounds of their Religion may say, that these were Protestants, but vndoubtedly Catholicke Papists, reueren∣cers of holy Masse, relicks of Saints, & such doctrines, as protestancy doth not allow, & thereuppon they plainely call them, sacrifi∣culos, massinge preists. H. Matius Germano∣rum lib. 5. pag. 39.
11. Neither did these doctrines and the profession of them cease here with vs, bet∣weene this publick desolation in the 586. of Christ, and the yeare 596. when S. Augu∣stine came hither, euen in those parts which the Saxons posessed, but there were diuers Bishops, and sacrificinge massinge preists still continuinge in them, and the holy sa∣crifice of Masse was still, though not so ge∣nerally and publickly as before, continued also in this time, and many of the Saxons themselues, euen from the dayes of Kinge Arthur, when many of them receaued the Christian faith, still continued therein, and this testified by protestant writers. (Holin∣shed histor. of Engl. pag. 122.123. l. 5.) tea∣chinge how vppon a great victory of that renowned Kinge against them, hee pardo∣ned
al that would and did receue the Chri∣stian faith, which were many. And Har∣dinge with others testifieth, that Stanford at this time was a Christian vniuersitie, though with some errors. (Harding histor.) and yet a great part of them must needs bee Saxons. And in those very places themsel∣ues where the Pagan Saxons moste & prin∣cipally ruled, and reigned, the Christian massing sacrificing Religion was there per∣mitted, and tolerated euen by the Kings al∣lowance, as a protestant historian proueth in these words. (Holinsh. histor. of Engl. l. 5. pag. 107.) At the same time that Constantine (the next Kinge to Arthur) was driuen into Wales, there reigned amonge the English men, one Iourmericke the fifth, as Bede saith, from Hengist. The same Iourmerick though hee were not christened himselfe, yet hee per∣mitted the Christian faith to bee preached a∣mongst his people, and concludinge a league with the Scottish men and Picts, kept the same inuiolate duringe his life time. So likewise it was in the kingdome of the Kentish Kings, extendinge to Humber, for Kinge Ethel∣bert had marryed a Christian, & gaue pea∣ce to Christians in his dominions, as wee
may also gather the like of the kingdome of the east Angles, whose Kinge Scebert, was a baptised Christian, except a protes∣tant historian is deceued, in the yeare of Christ 569. or before, then beginninge his Reigne, and beeing christened in Fraunce in the Regiment of his Brother and prede∣cessor Kinge Carpewalde. (Stowe histor. in east Angles in K. Scebert anno. 569.) and in many other places of Loegria, this Englād, the like instances may be giuen: for the eni∣mitie between the Saxons and Britans was not principally for Religiō, but who should rule here, and possesse this kingdome: asper∣nebantur vt plurimum Saxones Britonum Sa∣cerdotum tum Gualiam incolētium doctrinam: tametsi veram profiterentur, inuisae gentis ma∣gis quam disciplinae, de qua multa atque prae∣clara frequentius audiuerant, odio permoti. (Hect. Boeth. l. 9. Scot. histor. fol. 177.) and they had peaceable commerce, amitie, and correspondence with all other Christians, round about them, French, Scots, and Picts, as is declared before.
12. And to putt all out of doubt in this matter, wee are taught by many credible, and vncontroleable antiquities, that euen
at the coming of S. Augustine hither, there were diuers renowned massing, sacrificing Bishops, here with their massinge preists, that preached euen to the Saxons, and con∣uerted many, and that these holy Bishops, and preists did in all things agree, with the Apostolicke Romane church, and receued mission, power, and iurisdiction from then∣ce. Amonge these was S. Kentegern for the Northren and other parts of this kingdome, who preached to the Saxons & proued their Pagan Gods (namly woden) whom princi∣pally they worshipped as cheife God, to haue beene onely a man, a Kinge amonge them, and a damned creature. (S. Asaph. in vita S. Kentegerni. M. S. antiquit. in vita eius & Capgrau. in eodem.) Quem principa∣lem Deum crediderunt, & praecipue Angli, de quo originem duxerant, cui & qua•…•…tam feriam consecrauerant, hominem fuisse mortalem as∣seruit, & Regem Saxonum, a quo plures na∣tiones genus duxerant, huius inquit corpore in puluerem resoluto, anima in inferno sepulta aeternum sustinet ignem. And that this holy Bishop liued vnto this time of S. Gregory, ioyned in Religion with him, and by him was warranted to preach to the Saxons, as
to other nations, we haue the greatest war∣rant, wee can desire in such thinges, both Catholicke and Protestant antiquaries, ioy∣ninge in this, that hee was a Bishop 260. yeares. (M. S. antiq. & Capgrau. supr. Bal. l. de script. Britan. cent. 1. in Kenterno. Godwin Catalog of Bishops in Asaph.) whereby it e∣uidently followeth, that beinge made Bi∣shop after the beeing of S German, and Lu∣pus here, as appeareth before, he must nee∣des bee liuinge at this time, and it is parti∣cularly testified by the auncient writers of his life, S Asaph his holy scholler and suc∣cessor, Iohn Capgraue, and many auncient Manuscripts, that hauinge beene seuen ti∣mes at Rome, hee was there in the time of S. Gregory, who approuinge his sacred cal∣linge sent him with his Apostolicke war∣rant into these parts. Vir Deisepties Romam adiens Sancto Gregorio speciali Anglorum A∣postolo totam vitam suam, electionem, & con∣secrationem, & omnes casus qui et acciderunt, seriatim enodauit. Sanctus vero Papa illum virum Dei & Spiritus Sancti gratia plenum intelligens, in opus ministerij à Spiritu Sancto illi iniuncti destinauit.
13. In the westerne parts wee had then
besides the Bishops which opposed them∣selues to S. Augustine, commonly recomp∣ted seuen in number, yet agreeing with him in these misteries, the renowned holy Bi∣shop S. Asaph, disciple, and successor to S. Kentegern, in that see, when hee forsooke it; This holy massinge Bishop ruler of the colledge of so many massinge preists, as I haue before related, did in all things ioyne himselfe with the disciples of S. Gregory the Pope, in so much as a Protestāt Bishop wri∣teth of him: A Gregorij Pontificis Romani dis∣cipulis Angliam aduentantibus, authoritatem accepit. (Io. Bal. l. de script. Britan. cent. 1. in Asapho.) he receued authority from the dis∣ciples of Gregorie Pope of Rome, which came into England. And this is hee, who as the same Protestāt Bishop writeth, wrote the life of S. Kentegern his Master. Ther∣fore this holy Prelate must needs bee a mas∣singe preist, as all the other vnder him were at that time. If we go further to other parts of this nation, wee shall finde in the king∣dome of the Mercians, or by some the easte Angles, the renowned & miraculous Arch∣bishop S. Iue, a noble Persian by birth, who beeing sent thither by the Pope of Rome S.
Gregory or Pelagius the seconde his prede∣cessor both massinge preists and Popes, was also a massing preist and Prelate, and dying at the towne, now of his name called S. Iues, in Hontington shire, gaue that name vnto it. (Annal. Monaster. Ramseiae. M. S. antiq. de vita S. Iuonis. Io. Capgrau. in Ca∣talog. in S. Iuone Episcop. Florent. Wigorn. in Chronic. ad an. 600.) And to testifie that hee exercised both his massing preistly, and episcopall function there in preachinge to the Saxons, his body was found, buryed in episcopall manner, sepulchro aperto Episcopum Pontificalibus indutum cōspiciunt. This Apo∣stolicke doctor of this nation as Florentius Wigorniensis, Capgraue, and the old Ma∣nuscripts of his life •…•…ll him, Doctor Aposto∣licus & vere caeli nuntius Ino, dyed here as Wigorniensis writeth in the yeare 600. foure yeares after the cominge of S. Augustine hi∣ther: and hither also came with him, and preached here, sent from Rome, besides o∣thers not named, S. Sithius, and S. Inthius his associats, massinge preists. Qui cum Ro∣mam peruenissēt consilio Papae dispositione Dei, Sanctus Iuo cum Sithio nepote, & Inthio cog∣nato suo alijsque quibusdam, in Britanniam in∣trauit.
And to shew that hee was a true A∣postle of this nation, sent by the see Apo∣stolicke of Rome, coming through Fraun∣ce hither, beeinge honorably entertayned by the Kinge and people of Fraunce, to stay there, would by no entreaty consent, but came as hee was, à Domino destinatus, or∣deyned for vs by God, into England Cum Galliam cum suis intrasset, à Rege & populo honorificè susceptus, nec vlla gratia terrena quamuis assiduis precibus rogatus, ab ipsis re∣tineri poterat, sed Britanniam ingrediens.
14. And to passe into the kingedome of Kent it selfe, where S. Augustine landed, & settled himselfe, his successors, and see at Canterbury, there, we had at his cominge, and twenty yeares before, and before the time, that Theonus Archbishop of Lon∣don, and Thadiocus Archbishop of Yorke with their massinge preists, forsooke their sees, in that kingedome and city itselfe of Canterburie, a renowned massing Bishop, S. Luithardus, and his massing preists, vsual∣lie sayinge Masse, the Queene S. Bertha being present in their thē cathedral church, dedicated to S. Martine, as all antiquaries agree, and as I finde in an old Manuscript
history, builded in the time of Kinge Lu∣cius. (Bed. hist. gent. Angl. l. 1. cap. 27. Io. Capgrau. in Catalog. in S. Lethardo Episcopo & Confessore. M. S. antiq. in eod.) And by the persuasion of this holy massinge Bishop S. Luithard, the Kinge and Saint afterward Ethelbert, entertayned S. Augustine with all humanitie, and was by him after actual∣lie conuerted to the faith of Christ, in so much that this holy Bishop is called, Iani∣tor venturi Augustini, opener of the dore to S. Augustine. (Capgrau. supr. in S. Lethard. Gulielm. Malm. l. 1. de gest. Reg. Anglorum.) And was before S. Augustines cominge when he still liued a Pagan, fauourable and gentle vnto Christiās: Benignus erga Chri∣stianos in natiua gentilitate fuit. By occasion whereof, his kingdome extending to Hum∣ber, and his sister beeing marryed to Slede Kinge of the east Angles, and her sonne Se∣bert, or as Henry of Huntington calleth him Sibrictus, or Siberctus, beeing a Christian Kinge, so great parts of this nation were free from persecution, and some of the Sa∣xons, that were conuerted, became mas∣sing preists, longe before S. Augustine came hither. (Henric. Hunting. histor. l. 2.) For such
is numbred Godelbertus as a Protestant Bi∣shop writeth, ex quorundam coniecturis ge∣nere Anglosaxo, aboue an hūdred yeares be∣fore this time an. 498. (Pitseus historic. Rel. Tom. 1. aetate 5. Bal. l. de script. Britan. cent. 1. in Godelberto Presbytero.) And as Sebastiā Munster & the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury witnes, S. Offo an English Kings sonne in this our Englād, went hen∣ce and preached in Germany in the yeare 601. (Munster. in Cosmograph. in German. Matth. Parker antiq. Brit. pag. 8.) not with∣out other associats of this nation, except we will make, his case singular from all other Apostolick men, & conuerters of contries. And except wee will make a very bold ex∣positiō of the English Author of the booke, de Virginitate, or laude Virginum, of the praise of Virgins, commonly ascribed to our holy learned Bishop, S. Aldelmus, callinge, S. Gregory the Pope his Master, and Tutor, Prae∣ceptor & Pedagogus noster Gregorius. (l. de laude Virginum. Bal. cent. 1. in Adel. Pitseus To. 1. in eod.) wee must needs as the rule of correlatiues. Master and scholler requireth, make him scholler to S. Gregorie the great, which liued but few yeares after S. Augus∣tines
cominge hither, and being Pope then, likely he was Tutor & Master to this aūciēt English writer, before the time of his papa∣cie, as he was to many others, and not after.
15. So I might instance of others, but these aboundantly suffice, to proue, that af∣ter the first plantinge of the faith of Christ in this our Britanie, there neuer wanted in it, either in the time of the Britans, Saxons or whom els soeuer, Masse, massing preists, and Bishops. For euen those Brittish preists and Bishops, which moste opposed against S. Augustine in some other things, were as farr engaged in these articles, to bee sound and Orthodoxe as S. Augustine was, and so both practised here in Britanie, as I haue re∣lated before, & their most learned S. Kelian, Columban, and Gallus, with others going hence into other nations did wholly submit themselues to the Popes of Rome; and their cheifest S. Keliā was made Bishop of Mitz∣burgh by the Pope, receuinge power from him to preach. Romam profectus est, & offi∣cio praedicandi à Papa receptus Episcopus, ordi∣tus. (Manuscript antiq. de vita S. Keliani. Io. Capgrau. Catalog. in eodem. Sur. die 8. Iulij.) And that S. Columbanus the man whose
authority was most obiected against S. Au∣gustine, about the diuers keeping of Easter, was a notorious massinge preist, as also S. Gallus in as high degree, as any Catholicke now is, it is testified in their liues, where we find, S. Columban did dedicat a church, and altar, with the relicks of S. Aurelia, & adorninge the altar said Masse vpon it. Bea∣tus Columbanus iussit aquam afferri, & bene∣dicens illam, adspersit ea templum: & dum cir∣cuirent psallentes, dedicauit Ecclesiam, deinde inuocato nomine Domini, vnxit altare, & bea∣tae Aureliae reliquias in eo collocauit, vestito∣que altari, missas legittimè compleuerunt And in the same Authors wee reade, that S. Gal∣lus did ordinarily vse, Missam celebrare, to say Masse, and beeing vrged both by the Prince, Bishops, and Cleargie, to accept of the Bishoprick of Constance, hee refused it and preferred Iohn his deacon, whome S. Gallus had conuerted vnto the faith of Christ. Who in his consecration was ledd by the Bishops to the Altar, and solemnely consecrated, and said Masse: in which after the ghospell, as the maner was, S. Gallus preached. Episcopi duxerunt eum ad altare, & solemni benedictionts officio ordinauerunt An∣tistitem,
consumatoque sacrae promotionis mi∣nisterio, rogauerunt cum sacrificij salutaris ce∣lebrare mysteria. Praemissis ergo ex more di∣uinae oblationis initijs, post lectionem Euange∣lij rogauerunt venerabilem Gallum, vt multi∣tudini quae aderat, verbi officio sacrae instruc∣tionis pabulum ministraret. Where wee see as much deuotion, and reuerence, vsed by the greatests opposites to S. Augustine, to the holy sacrifice of Masse, sacrificinge preist∣hood, holy water, holy oyle, to consecrate altares, dedication of churches, and such like matters moste disliked by protestants, as S. Augustine vsed, or any learned Catho∣licke now professeth or defendeth.
16. And to remember Masses of requiem for the deade, so soone as S. Gallus heard of the death of Saint Columban, this S. Gal∣lus so renowned a man, called his bretheren together, and they prayed and said Masses for his soule. Audiens mortem S. Columbani col∣legit fratres., causas meroris aperuit. Deinde tanti patris memoriam precibus sacris, & sacri∣ficijs salutaribus frequentarunt. What forme of Masse both these, and they which then continued in Britanie, vsed, I haue proued before, from the Brittish antiquities, as also
how al which here were contrary to S. Au∣gustine in some ceremonials, I haue demō∣strated by all kinde of testimonies, that in these and al other essentiall and fundamen∣tall things, and not ceremoniall, or altera∣ble in Religion, they wholly agreed, and without the leaste difference, consented with S. Augustine, & the church of Rome, and differed in all now controuersed que∣stions, from the present protestants of this nation, and all others. And so Catholicke Romane, or (as protestants call it) the pa∣pists church, as it hath euer since to these dayes of innouation from then, beene the onely knowne and visible church, as these men freely confesse, and acknowledge, all antiquities, writers, and monuments so tes∣tifying; so it was in the same maner the on∣lie true, visible church, in euery age, or hun∣dred yeares from Christ, and his Apostles vnto that time, no other in any thing resē∣bling the present protestants congregation, beeinge knowne, or heard of, at home, or a∣brode, by their owne confessions, and all Arguments, in any one of those ages, of the primatiue church of Christ. And so I end this historie.