celebrates them much for their Learning.
4. Iohn Fox likewise commends these two holy men: but mistakes when he calls them Cittizens of Verolam, whom Gildas and S. Beda positively affirm to have been inhabitants of Caer-Leon. The words of S. Beda are these; At the same time (during the persecution of Dio∣cletian) Aaron and Iulius Cittizens of Caer-Leon, together with very many others in diverse places of both sexes suffred Martyrdom: Who after the suffering of severall tortures, had their mem∣bers torn asunder by unheard of cruelty, and at last consummating a glorious Martyrdom they sent up their soules to the ioys of the heavenly Citty. The same expression is used concerning them in the Roman Martyrologe on the first of Iuly, when the Martyrdom of Aaron and Iulius is commemorated. And both the said Martyro∣loge and S. Beda have borrowed the phrase de∣scribing the manner of their death from our most ancient Historian Gildas.
5. And the deuout Brittains of those times after the same manner honourd the Memo∣ry of these two Holy Martyrs, as they had done that of S. Albanus and S. Amphibalus, by erecting Altars and Churches to their ho∣nour. Thus Giraldus Cambrensis in his Itinera∣ry of Wales, treating of the famous Citty of Caër-Leon writeth: Here lye the bodies of two Noble Christians, and next to S. Albanus and S. Amphibalus the most illustrious Protomartyrs of Brittany, who were here crowned with Martyrdom: I mean Iulius and Aaron: each of which had a famous Church erected to his honour in this Citty. For there were in ancient times in the said Citty three magnificent Churches. One of the Martyr S Iulius, adornd with a Quire and Convent of Religious Virgins. A second dedicated to the ho∣nour of his Companion S. Aaron, and graced with a Noble Quire of Canons. The third was the Me∣tropolitan Church of all Cambria This last Church was afterward translated by the holy Bishop S. David to Menevia, the authority of Dubri∣tius Legat of the Bishop of Rome concurring thereto.
6. It is observable that all these Churches were built by Brittains, long before the Saxons entred into this Island. So that there is no need of expecting S Gregory the Great or S. Augustin the Monk to him who would find arguments to proove the Antiquity of the Roman Faith touching the Veneration of Saints, in Brittany.
7. Besids these wee find celebrated in an∣cient Martyrologes the memory of two Noble Brittish Christians, the Disciples of S. Amphi∣balus, who were crownd with Martyadom in the same persecution of Diocletian: their names are Stephanus and Socrates. Mention is made of them likewise by S. Beda, Vsuardus, Ado and others: whereto also severall an∣cient Manuscripts doe accord. We find no par∣ticular Gests of theirs: only in the English Mar∣tyrologe it is said that in the Province of the Silures, Churches were built to their honour. Now whether this Stephanus was Bishop of London, it is a doubt. A Bishop of that name is sayd to have governed that See in this age: though Authours place him somewhat later. To this time likewise is referd the murdring of all the Monks in the Monastery of Winchester, built by King Lucius. Of which wee shall speak in the next year but one.
8. Whilst the Romans thus raged in Brittany, very many Christians, not having the courage to keep their ranks, & expose themselves to their Enemies Violence; yet resolving not to betray their Faith, withdrew themselves from the fury of men, least by the imma∣nity of torments they should be compell'd to renounce it. Thus Gildas writes of the re∣mainder of Christians in those dayes, Those per∣secuted Christians, saith he, which were left, hid themselves in woods, defarts and caves of rocks, expecting from God the iust Iudge of all when he would please to execute his iudgments on their persecutours, and restore safety and liberty to their own soules.
9. This Christian prudence and caution of theirs was suitable to the advice given the year before by the holy Pope and Ma••tyr Caius at Rome, when the persecution first began: For he in an Assembly of beleivers meeting together on that occasion, thus spoke to them, Our Lord Iesus Christ, who perfectly foresees and knows the frailty of mankind, hath ordained two ranks and degrees of Beleivers, namely Con∣fession and Martyrdom: to the end that those who have not strength or courage enough to sustain the weight of Martyrdom, may at least hold fast the Grace of Confession. Let such yeild up the glory of Martyrdom to the valiant soldiers of Christ which are resolved to cōbat for him, and take a sollicitous care of their own soules. Let them therfore who are so disposed, depart out of this feild of battell whi∣ther they please, together with our dear children Chromatia and Tiburtius: and for the rest who are more courageously resolved, let them remain still here in the Citty with mee.
10. This flight of Christians in Brittany, sui∣table to the Roman practise, gave occasion to Persecutours to extend their rage upon Chur∣ches and Monasteries, all which by this tempest were so uterly destroyd that, as Gildas saith, in severall Provinces of this Island there remained no marks at all of Christian Religion. This deso∣lation continued about seaven years, till the happy return of Constantius, as soon as he was created Caesar, by whose clemency the Christian Faith and worship again flourishd in Britta∣ny, and this much sooner then in any other parts of the Roman Empire. Which mercy of God seems to have been extended in a speciall manner toward the Brittains, because, as S. Beda saith, they only preserv'd among them their primitive Faith, received in the dayes of King Lucius, entire and inviolate till the Raign of Dio∣cletian.