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.

XVIII. CHAP.* 1.1

1.2. &c. S. Patrick returns into Ireland Calls a Synod: The Decrees of it.

5.6 Of S. Albeus, &c. Disciples of S. Patrick.

7. Conversion of K. Engus.

8.9. &c. S. Benignus his Successour in Armagh: His retreat.

1. SAint Patrick,* 1.2 though for his parti∣cular consolation he had retir'd him∣self into the secure repose of a Monastery, yet it was with this condition, that whenso∣ever any emergent, pressing necessity of Gods Church, requiring his presence and care, should intervene, he would quitt the Office of Mary sitting at our Lords feet, and exchange it for that of Martha's ministery in attending and providing a supply to his necessities in his members.

2. And some such cause occurr'd, some disorders in the new-founded Church of Ireland hapned, which after ten years quiet

repose drew him out of his solitude: Which though we cannot precisely determine what it was, yet no doubt it is involv'd in some one or more of the Canons and De∣crees of a Synod which upon his return into that Island he assembled.

3. Which Decrees for many ages con∣ceal'd, and by negligence expos'd to rust and mothes, have been of late days by the industry of S. Henry Spelman rescued and re∣stor'd to light, though in severall places defac'd. Wee will not here trouble the Reader with the entire Transcript of them: since those who are more curious may have recourse to the said S. Henry Spelmans first volume of Brittish and English Councils:* 1.3 It will be sufficient to select from them some speciall Canons, which will give us some light to discover the Ecclesiasticall Discipline of those times.

4. It is there ordain'd, That if any Eccle∣siasticall person from the Dore-keeper to the Preist,* 1.4 shall not for decency wear a Tunick, and have his hair cutt after the Roman manner: or shall permitt his wife to goe abroad unvayl'd, shall be separated from the Communion.* 1.5 Again, That a Monk and consecrated Virgin shall not abide in the same lodging, nor travel in the same Cha∣riot.* 1.6 That if a Monk shall neglect the Divine Office, and wear long haire, he shall be excom∣municated. That the Alms of Excommuni∣cated persons,* 1.7 or Pagans shall not be receiv'd. That if any Christian shall be guilty of manslaughter, fornication, or consulting Soothsayers, he shall perform Pennance for each crime, the space of a year: And he that is guilty of stealing, half a year, of which, twenty days he shall eat bread only: But withall he must be oblig'd to restitution.* 1.8 That if any Christian shall beleive Spirits may be represented in a Glass, he shall be anathematiz'd,* 1.9 &c. That if any consecrated Virgin shall marry, she shal be excommunica∣ted till she be converted and forsake her adul∣teryes: which having done she shall perform due Pennance: After which they are forbidden to live in the same house or town.* 1.10 That if any Preist shall build a Church, he must not offer Sacrifice in it before it be cōsecrated by the Bishop. That if a Clergyman be excommunicated,* 1.11 he must say his Prayers alone, and not in the same house with his Brethren: Neither must he pre∣sume to offer or consecrate, till he be absolv'd. That a Bishop may not ordain in another Bishops Diocese,* 1.12 without his permission: Only upon Sundays he may offer Sacrifice.* 1.13 That a Clark coming from the Brittains into Ireland without Letters testimoniall, be not suffred to minister.

5. There is no mention made of this or any other Irish Synod in any Authour, except only in a generall expression of Iocelinus,* 1.14 and Probus who wrote S. Patricks life extant among S. Bedas works. And in him wee find this only passage, The most holy Bishop S. Patrick together with three other Bishops and many Clercks came to a fountiain call'd Debach, which flows from the side of Crochon toward the East; there to celebrate a Synod touching Ecclesiasticall affaires, and they sate neer the fountain. When behold two daugh∣ters of King Logaren came early in the morning to wash in the same fountain, as woemen there usually did: and they found the Holy Synod with S. Patrick neer the fountain. Now the Bishops names were S. Patrick, Auxilius and Isserni∣ninus: for this is the Inscription of this pre∣sent Synod,* 1.15 Thanks be given to God the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Pàtricius, Auxilius and Is∣serninus to the Preists, Deacons and whole Clergy Health. It is better we should premonish those who are negligent, then blame things past for Salomon says, It is better to reprove, then be angry. The te∣nour of our Definition is here under written, and begins thus; If any captive, &c. Of these two Bishops Auxilius and Isserninus mention has been made before.

6. Another Holy Bishop and Disciple of S. Pa∣trick challenges once more a commemora∣tion in this History,* 1.16 to wit, S. Albeus, in whose life extant in Bishop Vsher we read, That when he heard that S. Patrick had converted to our Lord Engus King of Munster (Momonensium) and was with him in his Royal Citty Cassel, he came to salute them Now the King and S Patrick much rejoyced at the arrivall of S. Albeus, whose joy to see them also was great. There the Holy man reverently entertained his Master S. Pa∣trick, for he was very humble. After this King Engus and S. Patrick ordaind that the Archie∣piscopall See of all Munster should for ever be placed in the Citty and chair of S. Albeus.

7. And as touching the Conversion of King Engus this passage also is extant in the same learned Authour,* 1.17 a little before, The glorious Bishop S. Patrick having sowen the Faith of Christ in the Regions of Lenster, prosecuted his way to the limits of Munster. And the King of Munster, na∣med Engus, hearing of the Holy Bishops coming, with great joy mett him, having an earnest de••sire to beleive and be baptised. He conducted therefore S. Patrick with much reverence and joy to his Royal Citty, call'd Cassel: and there the King having been instructed, beleived and received Baptism.

8 It is probable that S. Patrick abode at this time severall years in Ireland:* 1.18 For three years after this he consecrated S. Benignus Arch∣bishop of Armagh. And then quite devesting himself of all solicitude for others, he retur∣ned into Brittany to his much desired soli∣tude of Glastenbury, where he likewise ended his dayes.

9. As for his Successour S. Benignus,* 1.19 he also after seaven years spent in care of his Province, thirsting after solitude, and willing to see again his most beloved Master, came to Glastenbury, desirous to receive from him a most perfect Rule of Monasticall Profession. This he did, saith Malmsburiensis,* 1.20 by the ad∣monition of an Angel. And being come thi∣ther he demanded of S. Patrick what place he should make choice of to live in Vnion with God alone, divided from human society.

10. The Answer given him by S Patrick, who

encourag'd him to persist in his present pur∣pose,* 1.21 is thus recorded by Adam of Domer∣ham:* 1.22 Benignus, saith he, discovered to S. Patrick the motives of his journey: who exhorted him to pursue happily his well begun purpose, saying, Goe, my beloved Brother, taking only your staff with you. And when you shall be arriv'd at the place appointed by God for your repose, wheresoever having fix'd your staff in the ground, you shall see it flourish and grow green, there know that you must make your abode. Thus both of them being comforted in our Lord with mutuall dis∣courses, Saint Benignus being accompanied only with a youth nam'd Pincius, begun his journey through wooddy and marish places. But assoon as he was arriv'd in an Island where he saw a soli∣tary place, which he iudg'd fitt for his habita∣tion, he presently fix'd his staff in the ground, which without delay wonderfully grew green, and brought forth fresh leaves. There therefore Saint Benignus resolv'd to abide to his death in the service of God alone. And to this day the same Tree, the witnes and sign of his Sanctity, remains flourishing with green boughs, neer the Oratory of the blessed man, &c.

11. The same Authour further proceeds to declare how by another miracle God te∣stified that the Holy mans watchings, fasting and prayers with other austerityes were ac∣ceptable to him.* 1.23 Although, saith he, that soli∣tary place separated from wordly conversation was very opportune and proper for attending to God and Divine things: Yet one incommodity it had, that there was no water neer: So that young Pin∣cius was compell'd every day to fetch water al∣most three miles off. whence it came to passe that partly through wearines, but principally through suggestions of malignant Spirits he grew disheart∣ned, which the Holy man perceiving oftimes en∣deavoured to comfort and encourage him. At last taking compassion of his labours, he prostrating himself on the ground, humbly and heartily besought our Lord to open for his servant a spring of water, which might sufficiently supply his ne∣cessities. After which admonish'd by an An∣gelicall vision he gave his staff to young Pincius, commanding him to goe to a certain place full of reeds, and there striking the ground with his staff, he should without doubt find water, so earnestly desir'd by them. The child obeyd, went to the place, and in the name of the Blessed Trinity he strook the ground three times, making three holes in it with the end of the staff: which he had no sooner done, but immediatly a fountain gush'd forth: from whence to this day a brook, and that no small one, is supplied, which is both good for fishing, and healthfull likewise for many in∣firmities: The same Narration is likewise to be found in Iohn the Monk, and the summ of it in Capgrave:* 1.24 who calls the Island in which S. Benignus liv'd, by the name of Ferramere.

22. Bishop Vsher in confirmation of this relation made by our Brittish Historians, tou∣ching S. Benignus his coming into Brittany, collects likewise from ancient Irish Writers that the same Holy Bishop four years before his death relinquish'd his Archiepiscopall See of Armagh, and retired himself. So that he is to be suppos'd to have ended his life about the year of Christ four hundred fifty five. Six-hundred and thirty years after, his Sa∣cred Body was translated to Glastenbury, by the direction and care of Thurstin then Abbott: The ceremonies and solemnity of which Translation are to be read in the Antiquities of that famous Monastery.* 1.25

Notes

• * 1.1

  XVIII. C.
• * 1.2

  A. D. 450.
• * 1.3

  Spelm. de Concil. pag.
• * 1.4

  Synod. Hiber•• can. 6.
• * 1.5

  bid. c••••. 9.
• * 1.6

  ib. can. 10.
• * 1.7

  ib. can. 12.13. ib. 14.15.
• * 1.8

  ib. can. 16.
• * 1.9

  ib. can. 17.
• * 1.10

  ib. can. 23.
• * 1.11

  ib. can. 28.
• * 1.12

  ib. can. 30.
• * 1.13

  ib. can. 33.
• * 1.14

  Prob. in vit. S. Patr. c. l 2.
• * 1.15

  Synod. Hib••rn Inscriptio.
• * 1.16

  Ap. Vsser. in Primord. f. 66.
• * 1.17

  Ib. f. 865.
• * 1.18

  A. D. ••53.
• * 1.19

  A. D. 460.
• * 1.20

  Malmsbur. Antiq. Glast.
• * 1.21

  A. D. 460.
• * 1.22

  Adam Do∣merham in Antiquit. Glaston. Ioan. Monachus.
• * 1.23

  Id. ibid.
• * 1.24

  Capgrav. in S Benigno.
• * 1.25

  Antiquit. Glaston. f. 87.