breadth towards the New Temple of Apollo, ••orty. On the Northpart it was one hun∣dred and sixty paces in length, and ninety eight in breadth. On the West side of the Church there were in length one hundred and ninety, in breadth one hundred. On the south coast there were in length four hundred and fifty paces, and in breadth five hundred and eighty. On this side was seated the Episco∣pall Palace, as likewise the habitation of the Monks.
3. In the next place the same Authour Mo∣ratius describes the large possessions where∣with this Church and Monastery were endowed by King Lucius, saying, The li∣mits of their possessions were extended twelve miles round about the Citty of Winchester, reaching so far on every side: In which space there were on each quarter seated eight wealthy Villages. Now if one Church possessed so large 2 Territory, we may collect how richly all the Churches of Brittany were endowed even in those Primitive times.
4. The forementiond Thomas Rudborn in the greater Chronicle of the Church of Win∣chester further shews the speciall affection that King Lucius bore to that Church, and the Immunities which he bestowd on it, The glorious and most Christian King Lucius (saith he) perceiving how by the two holy men, Fu∣gatius and Duvianus, his Kingdom did wonder∣fully increase in the Worship of God taught by true Faith, and being therfore replenishd with great ioy, he converted to a better use the posses∣sions and territories formerly possess'd by the Temples of the Flamens, transferring them to the Churches of the Faithfull: and he not only added more and larger Mannors and lands, but advanced them likewise with all sorts of Privi∣ledges. And particularly touching the Church of Winchester, which in his affection he in a spe∣ciall manner preferd before others, he raisd it from the very foundations. And before he had perfected the whole work, he built a little habi∣tation, an Oratory, Dormitory and Refectory for the Monks design'd by him to dwell there. Ha∣ving finishd the entire building in the fifth year after his Conversion, the foresayd Prelats and Monks, Fugatius and Duvianus, dedicated it to the honour of our holy Saviour on the fourth of the Calends of November, in the year of Grace one hundred Sixty nine, and filld it with Monks, who devoutly served our Lord there: constituting the Abbot of the place a certain Monk called Den••tus. The same excellent Prince likewise re∣solved to conferr on the Bishop and Monks of that Church of Winchester all the possessions and farms which anciently belonged to the Flamens of the same Citty, together with all their Priviledges and Immunities.
5. What those Priviledges were, the same Authour a little after thus declares, saying, The foresaid most Christian King Lucius bestow'd on the said Church newly founded by him the Suburbs of the Citty of Winchester, together with the Priviledge of Dunwallo Molmutius. Which Dunwallo (as Moratius, Gildas and Geffrey of Monmouth also testify) was the sixteenth King of the Brittains: And being extremely zealous in his Heathenish Super∣stition, he enacted Lawes, famous till the dayes of King William▪ the Conquerour under the Title of Molmutian Lawes; by which he or∣dained; That the Citties and Temples of their Idoll-Gods, as likewise the high wayes leading to them, together with the Farms of their Tenants and husbandmen should enioy the immunity of Sanctuary: Insomuch as if any Malefactour should seek refuge there, he might safely depart, though his adversary were present. Now by means of such endowments and Priviledges the Church of Winchester enioyd its possessions in all tranquillity, dayly singing the praises of God the space of one hun∣dred and two years, to wit, from the first year of the most Christian King Lucius (his Conversion) to the second year of the Tyrant Diocletian. Thus writeth this Au∣thour: though he faile somewhat in his Chronology: Which defect is rectified by the ancient Authour of the Book of An∣tiquities of the Church of Winchester, who numbers exactly one hundred years from King Lucius his Conversion to the first year of Diocletian, during which time the said Monks quietly served God in their Mona∣stery.
6. If any one have the curiosity to en∣quire what the Rule and Institut of these ancient Monks were, the foresaid Tho∣mas Rudburn will satisfy him, presently adding, That S. Faganus and Duvianus filld that Church with Monks devoutly serving and praising God, and profess'd according to the Rule delivered by S. Mark the Evange∣list.
7. Now the order and manner of the Rule prescribed by S. Mark is thus decla∣red by Cassianus an ancient Writer of the Church: In the beginning of the Christian Faith (saith he) a very few, and those of approved sanctity, were dignified with the Title of Monks. Which men as they receiv'd their Rule of living from S. Mark the Euan∣gelist, first Bishop of Alexandria of blessed Memory, they did not content themselves with retaining the order of living practis'd by the Primitive Christians, concerning which wee read in the Acts of the Apostles,
That all the multitude of beleivers were of one soule: Neither did any one esteem that which he possessed to be his own: but they had all things common. For those who were posses∣sors of lands or houses, sold them, and brought the price, laying it at the Apostles feet: Which was divided to every one accor∣ding to their need. But besids this, the ancient Monks aspired to other practises more sublime.
For retiring themselves into the most secret places of the suburbs, there they lead a life so austere and with such rigorous abstinence, that even those who were