The church-history of Brittany from the beginning of Christianity to the Norman conquest under Roman governours, Brittish kings, the English-Saxon heptarchy, the English-Saxon (and Danish) monarchy ... : from all which is evidently demonstrated that the present Roman Catholick religion hath from the beginning, without interruption or change been professed in this our island, &c. / by R.F., S. Cressy of the Holy Order of S. Benedict.

VII. CHAP.* 1.1

1. &c. Further Testimonies of S Peter and S. Pauls preaching in Brittany, from Isengrenius and some ancient Fathers.

1. ISengrenius a learned Chronologist men∣tioning the affairs of Brittany in his first Century,* 1.2 and in the yeare of our Lord Sixty five, fitly expressed them thus: the exaltation of the Brittish Church under Nero: adding wi∣thall, that many Churches were built through this Island by S. Peter, the prime of the Apostles.

2. Indeed Gods good Providence so dis∣posed for our good,* 1.3 that Nero, the most abominable Emperour, yea person, that ever lived, though he was a plague and ma∣lediction to Rome, Italy, Greece and most other Provinces, yet was an occasion of wonderfull blessings to Brittany: For a te∣dious impatience to see his horrible actions almost forced S. Paul also to quit Rome, and disperse the precious seed of the Gospell among other Western nations even as far as Brittany. This is attested by witnesses of great antiquity and authority, and seems agreeable to the design of the Holy Ghost when by his command S. Paul and Barnabas were separated unto him for the work unto which he had called them:* 1.4 Which was to carry the light of the Gospell to the utmost ends of the earth.

3. Now that S. Paul, the Doctour of the Gen∣tiles, made good that title even to the Brit∣tains, we find acknowledged by Protestant Writers also, with an intention therby to ex∣clude S. Peter. But how inconsequently they argue, hath been already declared: and the Brittains themselves though anciently they gave to both these prime Apostles a most high veneration, yet they never calld their Church the seat of S. Paul, but only S. Peter. Hence our ancient Historian and Satyrist

Gildas in veighing sharply against the disso∣lutnes of the Brittish Clergy in his time,* 1.5 sayth that many of them did usurp the Chaire of S. Peter with defiled feet: thereby shewing that the whole Ecclesiasticall Order here did re∣ceive their Originall and Preist hood with a right of succession from S. Peter, the Ordi∣nary Supreme Pastour in a speciall regard of the Western parts of the world, and who likewise prevented S. Pauls coming hither severall years.

4. Particular Witnesses in Antiquity of S. Pauls preaching the Gospell in this Island are Theodoret, S. Hierome and others. The former of these Writing on the hundred and sixteenth Psalm, saith, Blessed S. Paul breifly teaches us to what Nations he had preached saving Truth,* 1.6 saying, From Ierusalem round about unto Illyricum he fill'd all nations with the Gospell of Christ. And after this he came into Italy, and continued his iourney even to Spaine: Moreover he brought salvation to the Islands also lying in the Sea.* 1.7 S. Hierom likewise men∣tioning the travells of S. Paul saith, He went (out of the East) as far as Spain: and from the Red sea, that is, the Southern Ocean to the Western Ocean. But more expressly Venantius Fortu∣natus in his Poem of the life of S. Martin, speaking of S. Paul,* 1.8 saith, He pass'd the Ocean, and through all Regions and accessible Islands, those which are inhabited by the Brittains and the utmost Thule, his Trumpet proclaimed the Gospell.

5. For this reason our English Martyrologe doth deservedly reckon S. Paul among the Apostles of Brittany, in that regard profes∣sing a particular acknowledgment and ve∣neration to him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  VII. CH.
• * 1.2

  I••••ngren. cent. 1. p 7. dist. 8.
• * 1.3

  A. D. 67.
• * 1.4

  Act. 13. 2. ••. 47.
• * 1.5

  Gildas in Clerum.
• * 1.6

  Theodoret. in Psal. 116.
• * 1.7

  Hieron. in Isa.
• * 1.8

  Ven. Fortu∣nat. de vit. S. Mart.