Englands old religion faithfully gathered out of the history of the Church of England, as it was written by Venerable Bede, almost a thousand years agoe (that is) in the year 698 after the passion of our Saviour : Bede saith he ended this history in the year 731 after the incarnation : we have not altered any part of this Fathers own words in any point concerning faith : only here and there is omitted what belongeth not to that purpose / by H.B.

Chap. 3.

Relates, How the most bles∣sed Bishop Chad, who of a Monk of Lesting, was made Bishop, was used to go preach the gospell more on foot than on horse-back. He govern'd after the example of the anti∣ent Fathers in great perfection of life. King Wulpher gave him land to build the Monastery of Etbere, where untill this day the steps of Monastical life, which he began, still remain. His chief residence was at Lich∣field, where he died, and was buried; and where his fear continueth to this day. He made himself a private Man∣sion, whether as often as he was at leisure from the Mini∣stery of the Gospel, he was

wont to repaire to pray and read with seven or eight of the brethren. It hapned, when his houre was come to pass out of this world, he was in the said Closet with one brother only, whose name was Owen; all the rest being return'd to Church, as the houre required: This Owen was a Monk of great per∣fection, and had forsaken the world, with a pure intention and hope of reward in heaven, a man worthy to whom God should reveale his secrets; and of credit in what he saith: For being Governour of Queen E∣dildreds Court, he despoiled himself of all, and came cloth'd in poor apparrel to the Mona∣stery of the said Father. One day, as he was employed a∣broad, the rest being gone to Church, the Bishop being a∣lone

in the Oratory of the House, Owen heard suddenly (as he after told) a most sweet consort of voices singing and rejoycing, coming down from heaven to earth, drawing nee∣rer untill it came to the roof of the Oratory where the Bishop was, where entring it fill'd it, and compast it round about. An houre after, he heard the same joyfull song ascend from the same Oratory to heaven. He being astonisht, the Bishop opened the Oratory window, beckening with his hand, whereupon Owen came to him; to whom the Bishop said, Go quickly to the Church, and call those seven br••thren hi∣ther. Being come, he admo∣nisht them to keep among themselves, and towards all Charity, to follow the rule••

and orders of Monastical di∣scipline, which they had ei∣ther learnt of him, or of their forefathers. Then he told them that his departure was nigh, For the most lovely guest (quoth he) that was wont to vi∣sit our brethren (many had died of the Plague out of the Mo∣nastery) hath vouchsafed this day to come to me, and call me out of this world. Go ye to Church again, and speak to the brethren, That with their Prayers, they both commend unto our Lord my departure, and remember with watching, prayers, and good works to prepare also for their own. When the Bre∣thren had taken his blessing and were gone; Owen casting himself on the ground, said, I pray you good Father what song was that I heard of that

I heard of that joyfull company descending from heaven upon this Oratory, and again return∣ing. He answered if you heard the singing, and understood the comming of the heavenly Companies; I charge you to tell no man thereof before my death. They were indeed An∣gels who came to call me to the heavenly rewards, which I alwayes loved and long'd for, and after seven dayes, they promised they would return and take me with them. The seventh day (as it was promi∣sed) after he had received the body and blood of our Lord, his holy Soul was carried (as we may well believe) by An∣gels to everlasting joy. Among his manifold merits, he was renowned for Chastity, Absti∣nence, Preaching, Prayer, vo∣luntary

Poverty. Agreeable to this Revelation is that which I now adde. Ecbert a Monk in Ireland, whom Higball Abbot went to see, said, He knew one yet alive, who when Chad past out of this world beheld a com∣pany of Angels descend, and car∣ry up his soul with them. St. Chad was buried first neer St. Maries Church, but after∣wards his bones were remov'd to the Church of the most blessed St. Peter Prince of the Apostles, in both which places, in token of his virtue, fre∣quent miracles in healing of the sick are wont to be wrought. One y^t had a Phren∣sie, lying by his tomb all night, the next morning came out well, and in his perfect senses, declaring to the great joy of all, that there he had by Gods

goodnesse got his health. The place is covered over with a wooden tomb like a house, ha∣ving a little hole on the side, wherein they that come thi∣ther for devotion, are wont to put in their hand, and take of the dust, which putting into water, they give to sick beasts, or men to drink; whereby they forthwith become whole.

Notes

• Our Bishops Monks and of great sanctity.
• The Cathedral at Lei••chfield now dedicated to St. Chad.
• Good works done out of hope of reward done with pure intention.
• A prophetical vision.
• Good works a preparation to death.
• The blessing of men.
• St. Peter still ••alled Prince of the Apostles
• Translation of Reliques.
• Miracles by them.