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THat the Primacy of the See of Canterbury, is from the Grace and pleasure of our Kings and Laws, who can translate it, when they see fit, for good and honourable ends and causes; or unite it to London, whence it was wrongfully torn away by Rome: which requires the clearing of these three points.
1. Touching the Old Metropolitan Sees of the Brit∣tains, where they were before Monk Augustine's entry? What makes a Metropolitan See, and which had the chief Primacy, whether London, or York, or Caerleon?
2. How these, or any of them ceas'd, and disconti∣nued, and how Canterbury came to be erected, continued, and confirm'd?
3. That the Protestant Confirmation of the See of Canterbury, is according to the Canons of the Church, as well as the Law of this Land.
Touching the first: Some hardly will allow, that the Brittains had any Archbishops at all, asa New∣brigensis; or if they had, that there is little, or no certainty, where theyb stood, as Will. of Mal∣mesbury; yet this last, amongst others, that write of Glastonbury, mentions, that the great St. David c Archbishop of Menevia, (or St. David) came with seven Bishops, (whereof he was Primate,) to the Dedication of that Church. And Bede mentions d seven Bishops of the Brittains that gave Augu∣stine a meeting about Worcester: And the Brittish History and Hovedene mentions the Archbishop, they had over them, and their continuance under the Archbishoprick of St. David, without any sub∣jection to Canterbury, or Rome, till the time of Henry the first: Naming the Suffragan Sees; Llandaff,
Llanbadern, Bangor, St. Asaph, Hereford, Worcester, Chester. But the Archbishops of London, and York, were forc'd from their Sees long before, about the Arrival of Augustine, which two great Cities, that they were Archeipiscopal Sees, is gatherable not only from the Brittish History, and the passage therein, (received amongst theire Historians, as well as ours,) touching King Lucius, erecting those three Archbishopricks here, (in the place of the Arch∣flamins,) over the rest of the Bishops: And also from Pope Gregory's sending hisf Palls to these two, and no other Cities, that lay open to them; (for Usurpers follow the track of the right owners:) But also the appearance and subscriptions of the three Arch∣bishops at the Council ofg Arles, from the Pro∣vince of Brittain, Anno 314. puts the matter past doubt, Eborius Bishop of York, Restitutus of London, Adelphius of Caerleon, for their Title of Bishops there, hinders not, but that they were Archbishops, and Metropolitans; for other known Archbishops, and Pope Sylvester himself, are therein mention'd, with the Title of Bishops only, or how else could Dole eclipse the Archbishoprick of Tours, upon Sampsons score from hence? If Sampson had been no Archbishop here. And whereas Ecclesiastical Sees, are observ'd to take their Division, and Order, from the Civil Dioceses and Provinces; (which is no just exception against that Government, as if it were further from God, or a jus Divinum; because it follows Order therein, which is from God, saith St. Paul, 1 Cor. 14.33.) It may be a little doubted, whether the Church, was guided in the establishment of these Sees, by the Roman, or by the Brittish division of this Land? For if by the
Roman, the Sees must be more or less, according to the number of Provinces:h Brittain at first, and in the time of Lucius, being but one Province; made two in the time of Severus, the upper and the lower Brit∣tain; four, in the time of Constantine, Britannia prima, Britannia secunda, Maxima, and Flavia Caesariensis; and Valentia the fifth, added in the time of Valenti∣an; whereby it should follow, (to which opinion Cambrensis was once inclin'd) that there were not under five Archbishopricks in this Isle: And if by the Brittish division of Provinces, in use before the Ar∣rival of the Romans, (whereof mention is left in the remainders of our Moelmutian Laws, or Dunwallo Moel-mûd, who flourished Anno Mundi 3529.) York had been to stand out, and to give place to Eden∣burgh. The words of that Law being these,i Ʋn goron Arbennig a gynhel-hir yn ynis Brydain: ac yn Lhundain Cadw'r goron: a thair talaith a gynhel-hir dani: un ynghymrhu, ben Baladr, arall yn nhîn Eidhin, yn y gogloed, ar drydedh, yngherniw. That is, there is one Imperial Crown maintain'd in the Isle of Brittain, and that Crown to be kept at London: And three Princely Coronets, are contain'd under it: One in Wales of the chief Line, the other in Edenburgh, in the North, and the third in Cornwall: whereby a fourth Metropolitical See at Cornwall, or Caer-eske, or Excester, should have place, whereof in Story there is no mention: but only the three Archbishop∣ricks of York, and London, and Caerleon ar-wysc, which division and number, Archbishop Ʋsher proves, by a cloud of 20 or 30 Authors, Brittish, English, and Forreign. It being probable, that York, in those first times, supplied the place of Edenburgh; because
that it was Constantine's place of birth, and because Edenburgh was out of the Roman World, and Severus his wall, in the beginnings of Christianity here.
That which constituted Metropolitan Sees Ori∣ginally, and before the Magistrate became Chri∣stian, was the Necessity of Order; which cannot be, where there is a multitude, without some Union, by a kind of predicamental subordination among the parts, under one chief; which the light of nature suggests in Families, and Armies, and Nations, and Notions; that particulars should be rank'd under Generals, as are the Creatures under God. And Magistracy was constituted, to follow, and improve this order of Gods Original founding; as Artificial Logick to improve natural, being both in effect, the same. And therefore mention is made in the Coun∣cil of Nice, about 300 years after Christ, of Patriar∣chal Sees in use, and Ancient Custom, long before Constantine, or any other Magistrate became Chri∣stian; the Church supplying that defect, by the in∣stinct of order; as nature supplyes the want, or breaches, in our bones, by a callus, or hardness of the like kind; and St. Paul was of opinion, that the law and instinct of nature was jure Divino and from God, Rom. 2.14. But when Magistrates be∣came Christian, to them it ever afterwards belong'd, as the Lords and moderators of order by Divine constitution Rom. 13. to found and constitute, and translate Metropolitical, or Patriarchall Sees, as they saw good, and convenient for their Territories: Upon this score, it might justly seem hard and strange, if Brittain had not an original, and invio∣able Immunity, and priviledge to its Sees, and Metro∣political chaires, which were constituted, and Con∣firmed
by its own natural Kings and Magistrates, the one the first Christian King, to any land, the o∣ther the first Christian Emperour to the whole world; k Polydor Virgil an Italian, is easily induc'd to be∣lieve, that Constantine, Brittannicâ matre genitus, in Brittanniâ natus, Imperator Creatus, haud dubie magni∣tudinis gloriae suae natalem terram participem effecit. Born of a Brittish Mother, and in Brittain, and there also made Emperour, made Brittain, no doubt, the place of his nativity, to partake in his Glory and Grandeur: For from him, and the after Emperours in Imitation of him, we find all Patriarchal Sees erected, or confirm'd, or altered in Councils, with reference to the place of their birth, or the residence of their Empire: Brittain having a far greater plea for its pre-eminence, not only the birth, and resi∣dence, but the conversion of the first Emperour, (and all the rest in effect, and consequence) by his Mo∣ther Helena, and her Brittish Chaplains, who had before made no small Impression upon the Emperour Constantius Chlorus his Father. Rome wanting such real merits, forms a vast, and an Universal supremacy to it self, over all the Churches of Christ, by a pretended and feigned donation of his, upon his pretended Baptism, by Pope Sylvester. But Brittain, who is sure of greater and reall merits, and that by the acknowledgement of Popes themselves, as was observ'd before, must not enjoy its own liberties, or Birth-right: Constantinople, which before was Subject to Heraclea, was made a Patriarchal See, equal to Rome it self, in the Coun∣cil ofl Constantinople and Chalcedon by after Em∣perours, because it was New Rome, or the place and residence of the Empire:m Upon no other ground
Jerusalem the Mother of all Churches, became Sub∣ject to its Metropolis of Caesarea, as Caesarea, to Antioch; it being the right, and prerogative of the Magistrate, in this World to advance to honour and pre-eminence, or to depress, what persons, or places, he pleases, what ever may be their merits, and pre∣cedencies in the other. Upon the like score, was n Justinianaea, the place of the Emperour Justinian's birth in Bulgaria, made a Metropolitical chair, (as another Justinianaea in Africa, taking its name from his conquest and reduction,) whereas it cannot be doubted, but that the exaltation of these, were the depression of other Churches; and the Glory of the new Patriarch, a deduction from the Ancient en∣joyed rights of other Ancienter Patriarchs; and yet without wrong; because (byo Ecclesiastical Law and presidents,) being in the absolute dispose of the Emperours, by the declared assent of General Coun∣cils; and whereas before it wasp adjudg'd mul∣ctable, and Infamous, for any Bishop, or Metropoli∣tan, to invade the Diocess of another; by the General Council ofq Chalcedon, and that in Trullo, the case was alter'd, and provision made for the rights and Prerogatives of Emperours; and the alterations made by them, to be obeyd, and submitted to, without such prejudices or exceptions. But as there is a na∣tural, and a positive right, and order, of erecting Metropolitical Sees, (which have both their deriva∣tion from the God of Order, and were severally practiced in the first and best ages of the Church, while it kept its soundness and purity, as well before, as after, it had any Christian Magistrates:) so there
is a third, and a new found way, (practiced in the de∣generate Roman Church for several ages) which hath justled out the other two, whereby Arch-Bishops have been made and invested, by that mysterious clout, call'd their Pall; which from the strangeness of the delusions, and gross cheats, and oppressions attending it, cannot be concluded to have its rise, or derivation from God, but only from Antichrist, or the Devil: For by the immoveable rules of the Roman Church,r none can be Arch-Bishops, or Metropolitans, without having a Pall from Rome, to invest them in that dignity; whatever be their Rights, or Titles, from Kings, or Emperours, or General, or Provincial Councils; Neither is this Pall to be had for nothing; And though this be a mani∣fest Petitio Principii, that none can be great Bishops in any part of the World, without first greasing the Popes fist; a rank and a ridiculous begging of the question, strongly savouring of the stench of simo∣ny, and sordid ends, to the great wrong and abuse of St. Peters name to cloake the matter, who abhor∣red such Practices Acts 8. yet so strong hath this de∣lusion been, by a just Judgement of God, upon many a blind Metropolitan, that it hath been for several Ages swallowed, and submitted to, to their ruin; which arrived to its power and credit amongst Church men by these Gradations, 1. Christianss of strict lives, (as the Greek Philosophers before them) did use a distinct habit, or cloake, call'd Pallium, in Tertullian. 2. Kingst and Emperours, in former times (where∣of there are some footsteps in modern,) did use to bestow upon their Dignified Favorites, Vests, and
Robes, answerable to their degrees; as likewise Palls of the like Nature, upon Popes, Patriarchs,m Churches, as a mark, and token of their honour; so in Constantine's feigned donation, the Robes and Ensignes ofn Imperial Majesty are conferr'd upon the Pope: And the Emperour Valentinian gave such a Vest or Pall to the Churcho of Ravenna; but Ba∣ronius is careful to assert the Dignity of that Church, from the Popes graunt and favour, rather than that Pall. Anthimiusp Patriarch of Constantinople (de∣pos'd in the time of Justinian) is said to restore back his Pall, to the Emperour that gave it; upon this score Sampson had a Pall at York, when Brittain no way depended on the Pope: And though Marcus, Pope Sylvester's Successor, is acknowledged by Baro∣nius, to be theq first, that is met in Story to bestow a Pall; and that upon the Bishop of Ostia, in the year 336. yet our Gregory that sent Monk Augustine hither in the year 600. is the the first, that brought it into use; to Install Archbishops by it, to advance others, over the heads and rights of other Bishops, and to make them his Legates thereby, and dependants upon that See. It is he, that sent his Pall tor Monk Au∣gustine for London, and tor Paulinus for York, and tor Siagrius of Augustodunum, or Autun, advanc∣ing his Seat thereby, to be next in Dignity to Lyons: And in like manner to several other, with Canting Epistles touching their use; and the Office of them, (that are exalted to wear them,) at proper seasons. The first conditions that attend it, were. 1. It was to be given to none, but first, upon the score of
s high merit. 2. Nor without greatt entreaty. 3. And withoutu all Fee, which last came to be dispens'd with, after it was well rung into credit, by other Arts, and divine additional definitions of it; that it was taken fromx off the body of St. Peter, having vertue in ity to give plenitude of Arch∣iepiscopal power to the wearer: And by this time, lest the cheapness should bring it into contempt, it was not parted with, but for a great, and round sum; and an Oathz of Allegiance, and particu∣lar fidelity to the Pope, and to bea buried with every Archbishop, and purchas'db a new within three Months, upon pain of suspension and depriva∣tion. Thomasc Archbishop of York half broak him∣self, in the time of Henry the first, to gain it, to have his will against the Archbishop of Canterbury: Wal••er Greyd Bishop of Worcester laid down 10000 l. Sterling (now 30000 l.) to be translated by it, to the See of York: The Bishops of Mentze used to purchase it at 1000. then 20000, 25000 and 27000 Florens. Our Archbishops of Canterbury and York, came at last to a certainty off 5000 Duckets, and the rest of the Bishops to a known proportion for their Investitutes, (which in 40 years compass were computed in Henry the 8th's timeg to amount to one hundred and sixty thousand pounds Sterling: Now this last Title, by Pall, the Ancient Brittish Church never heeded, as appears by Pope Gregory's
Confession, upon search of hish Registers before; and therefore that allegation ini Cambrensis, and Hoveden, of 25 Archbishops of St. Davids, who suc∣ceeded St. David, and used a Pall till Sampson, who carried it to Dole, is inconsistent with that utter enmity, that continued some hundreds of years, be∣tween the Romish and the Brittish Church, unless, as the Learned Ʋsherkproves, it be understood of Sampson of York, that went over to Dole, as Pope Inn••cent himself could tellk (and not of Sampson of St. David:) who might have had a Pall remaining at York, from the guift of Emperours, as usual, and not of the Pope, whose Supremacy here, was not then acknowledg'd. Neither were our Metropo∣litans the less Metropolitans, for the want of the Roman Pall; for they had all other requisites, sav∣ing [l] that one, which is sufficient; and the rather, because they were as Perfect Metropolitan Bishops, as the Pope himself, before the time of Pope Marcus, who first us'd a Pall; because upon the Summons of Constantine the great, they Sate as Archbishops, and were so allowed of, by the great Council of Arles, and by Pope Sylvester himself, or his Deputies, who made no exceptions then against their dignities, and sitting, as we can read or hear of, which was seve∣ral years before the time of Pope Marcus, the first Founder of the Pall: And therefore their Metropo∣litan rights, which were firm and valid so long be∣fore, in the esteem of those two great powers, (who were able to create, and abrogate such dignities, Em∣perours, and great Councils,) could not be infring'd in after Ages, for want of that suspicious new mark
and Livery, Apoc. 13.16, 17. that was to be far fought, and dear bought, and after all impertinent and Insignificant; for the Brittains had not Faith, or Brains to believe all the Lyes and false suppositions, that are required to support, the Credit and Veneration of this Pall. 1. That it was taken from off the body of St. Peter, (as is alledg'd by the Pope,m or his Deputy for him, at the Altar,) that being moul∣der'd into dust and ashes so long time agoe: Nor 2. that his dead body, (were it in visible being,) could by this contact communicate such sanctity and au∣thority, to a patch of Wollen Cloth. 3. That this Cloth sanctified by such Contact, can alone con∣veigh to Archbishops their lawful power of Ordina∣tion, and the rest of their Archiepiscopal Authority. 4. That it cannot invest the Successor with the same power, but (by a Canonical Flannel Act,) must be buried out of the way, as useless: For a touch of a Loadstone serves to attract many needles, one after another, and the Father's Cloak, may serve his Child, or some poor body, after his death. 5.n That all Consecrations of men, and Sacraments, are void, and useless, without this ragge; upon which the Au∣thority of the Archbishop depends, as the Ordinati∣ons of Ministers and Bishops, upon the Authority of the Archbishop, and all their lawful Consecrations of Sacraments upon the Authority and validity of their Ordinations. Nor 6. That the Primitive Church for the first three hundred, or five hundred years, was no Church, and had no lawful Govern∣ours, nor Metropolitans, nor Bishops, nor Ministers, either to Ordain, or Consecrate Successors, or to Preach the Word, or to administer Sacraments with
a right Calling, because they had not this Roman Pall. All these fundamental points of the new Ro∣man-Catholick Faith, could not go down with our Orthodox and sober Ancestors: But since the Church, with them at Rome, hath got new marks and defini∣tions; and Palls, and Fees, are now its measures, a•• ••Touchstones, instead of Christ and the Heart: This Controversy is now reducible to a narrower compass, to a Dilemma, and a short Issue. The Di∣lemma, this; The Brittish Churches, and their Me∣tropolitical Sees, and Authorities, upon Monk Augu∣st••••••'s Arrival hither, were for want of Palls, (which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 implyed against them by Pope Gregory,) either all null, and void, and vacant; or not: If the latter, then Pope Gregory, and Augustine his Missionary, were manifest Schismaticks, and worse, as shall be furher shewed, for Invading Sees, and Consecra∣ting▪ and Ordaining Ministers, and Bishops in other 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dioceses against their wills, and rights, and the Canons of the universal Church: But if the former be true, that they were no Churches of Christ, nor lawful Sees, nor Metropolitans, (what∣ever was their Antiquity and first Establishment,) for want of sueing out their Palls from Rome, then by the same reason, the whole Primitive Church of Christ for 300 years before Marcus, or 500. before these Investures by Palls came to be in full mode and fashion, was no lawful Church, had no lawful Officers, neither Patriarchs, nor Metropo∣litans, nor Bishops, &c. no more than the Brit∣tish. And then, the Issue between us, and Rome, is come to this disjunction: If Rome be the true Ca∣tholick Church, by the vertue of its Palls; The Pri∣mitive Apostolical Church, that wanted this Chur∣chifying Livery, was no Church: If the Primitive
Apostolical Church, was a true Catholick Church, (which none but Antichrist will deny,) then the Church of Rome, by their own new Principles, is no Catholick Church. So that by the self-same cha∣racter, and measure, whereby they wrongfully Un∣church'd our Brittish, and Impiously by consequence Unchurch'd the whole Primitive Church to boote, by their own Law and sentence, as it were by a judge∣ment upon them, they Pall-mall have justly and de∣servedly Ʋnchurch'd themselves.
Having thus evicted them, by their own Princi∣ples, out of their Usurped right, and title, to the name and being of a Church, much less the Catho∣lick Church, and wrested from them their Patriar∣chal flag, and claim of Supremacy over our Brittish Churches, upon which, of our own Metropolitan Sees, we ought to reare, and fix this Ensign of Pri∣macy, as its Ancient Right and Honour, is both a hard question to decide, and no question at all, in di∣verse respects. For if the question be of Fact, where the Primacy was lodg'd, and seated? whether at York, or London, or Caerleon ar-Wysc? it is hard to determine it; there being so much from Antiquity, to be alledg'd for each.
For York, there is this to be said: Not only, that at the Council of Arles, Eborius Arch-Bishop of York, Subscribes before the other two, but that York was the Seat of the Roman Emperours, when they re∣sided here, and the Praetorium of Brittain, and in all consequent probability, the Seat of the Brittish Pa∣triarch, or Primate therefore; And the place of Constantine's Birth, as our Embassadours argue in the Council of Constance, for the right of Precedency against Francen Domus Regalis Angliae inter plures
sanctos palmites, &c.
The Royal house of England, amongst many other holy branches, not easy to be numbred, is certainly known to have brought forth St, Helena, and her Son Constantine the Great, who was born at York;And our Embassadours in the Council of Basil, against the like pretence of Castile, or Spain, urgeo Constantinum illum magnum, qui primus, &c.
That Constantine the Great, who was the first Christian Emperour, who ordered so many Churches to be built over all the World, contri∣buting vast treasures thereunto, was born at Per∣terna, in the City of York:Which name is conjectu∣red to be retained to this day, in the Vicar's Chorall's buildings there, which is call'dp Bederne, which (with Christ-Church adjoyning, stil'd in old Charts, St. Trinity-Church in the Kings Court,) is conceived to be part of the old Imperial Palace, by the great Arch-Bishop Ʋsher and Bramhall, and (to add to their conjecture,) the word in the Brittish, signifies the same, as Praetorium, with little allowance to the alteration made by time, and by different Langu∣age. For Penteyrnas, is the Brittish word for Prae∣torium, signifying as much as theq Head of the Kingdom, or Empire; which the Embassadors cite Perterna; and is since retain••d in Bederne, and per∣haps in Bedhran, the next Street adjoyning to their Minster, q. d. their Perterna, or old Pallace. Now the great Metropolitan, or Patriarchal Sees of Chri∣stendom, whether Antioch, or Constantinople; &c. have not more, nor so much, to offer in behalf of their several Primacyes, within their several pre∣eincts, nor Rome it self, with Truth and soberness,
than York for the Primacy of Brittain. For the best and chiefest title, is, from the Seate of the Empire, and chief prefecture, ingeniously so acknowledged by the Council of Constantinople and Chalcedon: where∣in York is equal, and several wayes before them, in Seniority, or Dignity, or both: being the prim•• See of Brittain, and with Antioch it self, co-temporary in the Faith: as the English Embassadors alledg'd in the Council of Basil, whose Chair is acknowledg∣ed by the consent of all Antiquity, to be founded by St. Peter, 7 years before that of Rome; but far out∣vying it for the lustre of both Royal, and Imperial dignity, and Christian Primogeniture. But Rome hath two other broken titles, out of both which, she feign would make up, one good one; as he, that made two heyres of half bloud, to be equal in right, with one, of the whole; that of St. Peter's Rock, whereon the Church, (that is, the Roman, as they begg the question, was founded) and the other of Constantine's Donation, as his gratuity for his Baptism: by the first, (were all their canting Interpretations true, which have been often sufficiently baffled) they can have no more right than Antioch, which was alike founded by St. Peter, by their own Confession, and other more certain evidence, than Rome can produce for her chair, which is, as it were, of the second venter; yet Brittain was never Subject to Antioch, but Equal and Co-ordinate; much less to Rome; though agreeing more in Customs, and Com∣munion with the one, than with the other; yet such is the disease, and unreasonable pride of Rome, that she exalts her self above both. And St. Peter is brought to rob, not Paul alone, but Peter. And the Junior Daughter to claim Precedency, and Birth-right against the Senior, and the crack'd, suspected
Patent, to be a better and firmer title, than the true, and undoubted. Neither is the other pretence from Constantine's guift, more vail'd against Brittain, were it true; which many of themselves are asham'd off, For suppose he had been Baptiz'd by Pope Sylvester, at Rome, (and not in the River Jordan, as most be∣lieve, especially the Greeks, and Platina dissents not) about the latter end of his dayes, as the Custom then was, for surer remission of sins, against any new crimes and forfeitures; and that he had resigned Rome and its Territories to the Pope, (with∣drawing, to Constantinople out of Reverence to him, as to a greater man;) and the Dignity of Roman Senators, (who were equal to Kings) to his Cardinals, and all his Robes and Ensigns of Empire, with an Universal Supremacy over the Churches of Chri∣stendom, as the Donationr recites; yet sure not without some exception; at the lest, touching Brit∣tain: not only, because he could better part with his own Civil rights, than with the old Ecclesiastical Rights of Churches, enjoyed from Christ, before Magistrates became Christian, and in future Coun∣cils submitted to Christian Emperours for honour, while Christians, but because Brittain, his Native Countrey, had stronger, and more undoubted ob∣ligations upon him, upon the like score; having his birth, and second birth, and Conversion, from the one, and but the Instituted Ceremony, (if true and certain) from the other; so that upon the self same reason, and merits of this pretended Charter, that all other Churches were declared Subject to it, it is to be believed in all justice and equity, that Brittain was declared Exempt. For if the Emperour Justi∣nian
was so kind, and noble, towards the place of his birth, and Conquest, in Dacia, and Africa, as by his imperial Prerogative, to exalt them into abso∣lute Primacyes, freeing them from the obedience, and subjection, they formerly paid, to other superiour Chairs, how can it be imagined, that the Generous Spirit of Constantine, compounded of Roman, and Brittish Honour, should forget the place, where he was Born, and Re-born, which all men remember to their last Gasp, as Poets paint it, both Human and Divine, Nescio quâ natale solum dulcedine cunctos, saith one, Dulces moriens reminiscitur Argos,r saith ano∣ther. And the Prophet more Divinely, If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, left my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, If I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy, Psalms 137.6, 7. For what is more remember'd and tender'd from first to last, by all men and Chri∣stians, than their Countrey, the type of God, whence they had their being? or what is more eve∣ry one's Jerusalem on Earth, than his Church, the type of Christ, where he had his better and Eternal being? How unthankful therefore, and perfidious to the honour of their Countrey, and of their Prince, (the representative and type thereof,) must they needs appear, that for any present Interest, and pri∣vate advantage, or unaccountable Custom, and Education, shall go about to advise, or perswade him, to yield (against Princely trust, and honour, and obligation of descent, and birth,) this most An∣cient free-born Church of Brittain, to be a slave, and Captive a fresh to Rome, after her miraculous rescue and deliverance, by the hands of Princes, the heads of
States-men, the hearts of Divines, the finger of God, the Acclamations of all good men: and at such a time, the one being in its greatest Degeneracy, with nei∣ther Truth, nor Empire of its side, to make it lovely, or considerable, as heretofore; and the gall and soreness on the Neck of the other, from its former yoak, not yet fully healed, nor forgot.
Neither are the pretences of London, (ors Lhun∣dain in the Brittish, .i. Diana's shrine Acts 19.24.) to the Brittish Primacy, Inferiour to those of York: being for populousness, and wealth, and Situation, the knowen Metropolis of this land, all along from the Resurrection; and before, and by consequent pre∣sumption, our Patriarchal See, as ourt Ancient Historians are generally of Opinion. Founded by King Lucius, at St. Peters Cornhill, as most believe, or St. Peters Thorney, (or Westminster) according to D. Heylin's conjecture, which likewiseu had its first building from the same King, who according to our Brittish Chronicles, was Baptizedx at Troynovant, or London, with all his Family, where according to the Moelmutian Laws, was the Imperial Crown of this Island kept, and in all probability, the Residence of King Lucius, and the first Metropolitany Chair, by consequence, long before the time of Con∣stantine, well nigh two hundred years; and Pope Gregory sending his chief Pall for London, proves as much, by his following the track. And accordingly we find Arch-Bishop Guitelin, or Cyhelyn, to Crown
King Constantine, and to have the chargez of his children, Aurelius Ambrosius, and Ʋther Pendragon, (the priviledge of the chief Primate of England to this day.) And Fitz Stephen a Londoner, will have Constantine the Great to be born at London, and her Walls to be built by him, at the request ofa Helena, And though he resided at York, as other Emperours before him, for greater watch, and terrrour, on the Frontiers of the Empire, and was forward enough, to honour and exalt the See of York, into high dignity and Priviledge, yet not to the wrong and pre∣judice, of the Ancienter Arch-Bishoprick of London, in the same Countrey, and that his own; and Eborius of York, might take place of Restitutus of London, in the Council of Arles, by reason of his years, as the Elder man, and not by reason of his See. And if the See of London, was thus above the See of York, (which had (as a fore) such good right and merit to be above any other See in Christendom, whether Constantinople, or Rome it self;) how Ancient, and Sacred, must the Primacy of London then be! And yet this See, we find Rome to have used her greatest Power to suppress, and keep under, from first to last, York continuing an Archbishoprick to this day: But London the Original Primacy of Great Brittain, swallowed up by the pride of Popish Canterbury, for about a thousand years together.
And Caerleon upon Wysc, now St. David, had no less a right, than the other two, to chief Primacy here in Brittain, by that dear title of Redemption (as it were) being the Royal seat of King Arthur; who by his zeal, and valour, in the Cause of Christ and his Countrey, was the Saviour of the Brittish Church and Monarchy in his time, (as such deliverers are
term'd in Scripture, Obadiah v. ult.) from the Pagan-Invasion of the Saxons, rebuilding their Churches, Monasteries, Nunneries, saith Geoffrey, restoring their Clergy, and Orders, and setling Bishops, and Pastors, in their several Sees, and charges; as his Chap∣lain Pyramus made Archbishop of York by him,a convocato clero & populo; in a full Parliament and Convocation, held at York the Feast of Christmass: As, at his great and solemn Feast held in the time of Pentecost at Caerleon, at the like assembly of the Clergy and Laity, Davida was made Archbishop of Caerleon, Maugan of Silcester, Dwywan of Win∣chester, Eledanius of Alcluid, or Dunbritton, as we find Theon Bishop of Gloucester translated to the Archbishoprick of London, shortly after his death: In a word, he either clear'd the land, (after several great Fights,) of all the enemies of his Countrey and Religion, or gave them terms, wresting the sword out of their hands, andb recommending the Catechism instead: As did his Uncleb Emrys, or Aurelius Ambrosius before him. Here that Arch∣bishop had his Residence, that sent seven of his suf∣fragan Bishops, to meet the said Augustine, near Wor∣cester, to defend their Brittish rights and Customes against Rome's Invasion: Neither is Cressy's excepti∣on against the Welsh Epistle in Sir H. Spelman, of any validity, because it mentions the Archbishop of Caer∣leon to be their proper Superiour, when as at this time, saith he, the See was at St. David, and not at Caerleon;c because, though it were, it was still
the same See; and the names were promiscuously us'd; and there is nothing in that Epistle, but what is in effect contain'd in the Narrations of Bede, and Geoffrey of Monmouth, who is no where more fabul∣ous, than for the Interest of Rome, or the discredit of our Brittish Worthyes, and both Authors appear more their Friends, than ours. And where Geoffrey, Stiles Dubritius, (without any colour of Truth,) Britanniae Primas, & Apostolicae sedis legatus; The Pope's Legate, and Primate of Brittain: (though it was as absurd, then, as to fancy General Montecu∣culi, now, to be a Turkish Bashaw,) yet it serves very well to confirm, that this Archbishop of Caerleon, was the undoubted Primate at that time, and not York, or London; because Lyes and Legends, that expect any belief, are ever fastned to some Truth: And there this Primacy continued amongst the Brit∣tians, till sometime after the Norman Conquest.
But if the Question be of right? Where the Prima∣cy of Brittain, ought of right to be, and to be by all right-English and Brittish-Christians, obeyed from the heart, as unto Christ? The Resolution is far more easie: For this Church may be considered, as to its Inside, or the heart and inward man; or the Outside, or its outward man: As to the first, the Primacy is solely in Heaven, the heart being subject to no Pope, nor Prelate, but to Christ alone, and to all lawful Governours for his sake. Neither is this Pri∣macy local, or confin'd, and limited, to any place on earth, either Rome, or Canterbury, as neither is the Soul or its thoughts; but in all places of Europe, and Asia, Africa, and America, we are to obey and follow Christ, the Soveraign of the Soul, before any other whatsoever; God before man, Conscience be∣fore Interest, Truth before Authority, the Laws of
God, befere the Doctrines of men, Duty before Fancy, Honesty before Advantage, Heaven before Earth, and Everlasting Concernments, before any Temporal whatsoever. But if the Church be con∣sidered in its Outside, the Case is in another World, that is, in this present World; where the Civil Ma∣gistrate is Supream, in all Temporal Concerns and Causes: As in all Ecclesiastical, are Ecclesiastical Ma∣gistrates and Governours; and that two wayes: 1. Originally. 2. Eminently. Originally, the rightful Bishops of Brittain, before the time of King Lucius, and Constantine, being of Apostolical descent and In∣stitution, (and the chief of their Order,) were the chief and Prime Governours of this Church, by right; for the first Bishops are certainly known to be ap∣pointed by the Apostles themselves, as James at Je∣rusalem, &c. And the Magistrate, while Heathen, had no right to controle them, in any part of their Commission, that was from Christ, for the propa∣gation of his Gospel, or the publick weal and pre∣servation of his Church, in truth, and order, and regular Communion, in this world; therefore, in that respect alone, they were exempt, and not subject to any human Laws and Authorities whatsoever; which liberty hath been scandalously abus'd, and ex∣tended by the principles of Popery, to exemption from Christian Magistrates: As if they had been equal∣ly as opposite, and asymbolical with the Gospel, as Hea∣then. But when the Magistrate became Christian, in Lucius, and Constantine, &c. And were received into the Church, (according to their quality, and station before in the World, of Gods Erection,) the Case was otherwise again; for now they were Ec∣clesiastial Magistrates, as well as Civil; and if Ec∣clesiastical, therefore Supream in Ecclesiastical causes,
(referring solely to this present life,) as well as Tem∣poral; that is Supream Primates and defenders of the Temporal concerns of the Eternal Church of Christ. Therefore, as the Supremacy of the Church was Originally in our Brittish Bishops, so it came afterwards Eminently, to be lodged and vested of right, in our Brittish Christian Magistrates; Chri∣stian Bishops giving place to Christian Kings, like the lesser to the greater Lustre; who yet acted little or nothing without their advice, and counsel, as we found King Arthur, a little before, chusing his Bishops and Archbishops with the advice of Synods. There∣fore, as we say, where the King is, there the Court is; so it may, as well, be said and justified, where the Christian King of Brittain is, there is the Primate of Brittain, and head of this Church: Notwithstanding, as our Kings in their Civil Capacities, have their stand∣ing Courts, and Tribunalls for Habitation, or Justice, by Law and custome, as well as Ambulatory and Personal; so likewise in their Ecclesiastical, their standing Pri∣macyes, where they pleased by Law to fix them, as did King Lucius perhaps at London, and Constantine at York, and Arthur at Caerleon, and others at Canterbury; which they, or their Successors, may adjourn, and re∣move elsewhere, in like manner, when they see good reason. The vulgar practice of common Seamen, pe∣netrates and decides this point. For with them, at the motion of the Prince, or Admiral, from a first to a se∣cond, or third Rate Ship, the Flag shall follow by con∣sequence; and desert that Ship, (whatever be its Rate,) the Prince deserts, and hover only there, where he hath chosen to abide; In like manner it is with the Pri∣macy, which answers to the Flag, as Ships at Sea, an∣swer to Cities on Land: It doth, and alwayes ought, to follow the will and Law of the Prince; and any For∣reign
Pope hath as much to do, to order, and dipose of a Flagg, in our Fleet, by his Bulls and Canons, as of a Primacy in our Kingdom. There is an old appetite in Mitre, and Crown, to Re-unite, and to be together, as they were Originally in the same Persons, in the Patriarchs, yea in Heathen Kings, and Emperours; Holy and Publick, sig∣nifying the same; our English Primacy, which travelled heretofore from London to Canterbury, to be near King Ethelbert, is since crawl'd back as far as Lambeth, to be near White-hall. The Christian Mitre attends the Crown, the Antichristian, would Controle it; Both would have it near, the one goes to it, the other would have it, to come to him: Chri∣stian Bishops count themselves Subjects to their Kings: Antichristian would have Kings to be Subjects unto them: ••ea and make no other account of the King of kings, and of every thing that is called God, who by their Principles and Practices shall be redu∣c'd, to serve their private ends, (which are with them) Superiour to them all. The fate of the Church, may be observ'd to follow that of the Crown and Empire: it rose, and fell, of late years, with the fall, and Restoration, of our last Kings; we observed the like Sympathy in it, towards the Brittish Crown here∣tofore. Therefore all good Christians ought by their lives and Prayers, to support our Brittish Monarchy, that the Church and Religion may ever prosper in its safety, 2 Tim. 2.12. The Civil Regality of our Kings cannot be destroyed, but by a stronger Forreign Power, or Domesticks broyls; (which God prevent) And nothing ever hath, and doth promote our divi∣sions, and rents, and broyls, more than the cherish∣ing of Popery within our state, which engenders Jealousies, foments our Sects, and sets on dissenters
to affront and trouble our Church and Government, and fits us for Invasion, by division: neither can their Ecclesiastical Regality, be any way more Eclips'd, or extinguished, than by vitious scandalous living, or Antichristian errours; for how can he be a Head, or Primate in Christ's Church, who stands condemn'd and Excommunicate by its Laws, from being a Mem∣ber; Truth and Holiness, being as essentially requi∣site to the Church, (which is the ground and Pillar of truth 1 Tim. 3.) and to every Member thereof, as his being a Christian: The neglect whereof destroyed our Brittish Church in Ʋortigern, and its corrupt Princes, heretofore; as Subjection to the Pope, de∣praved, and enslaved the Conquering English, and their Church all along; Invasion and Captivity are best kept off, by bolting out Popery, and Debauche∣ry; A Prince, that is Orthodox, and Vertuous, and Vigilant, and Valiant,a is the greatest pledge and sign from Heaven, of good weather in Church, as well as State, in such a Reign: which therefore ought to be, as it is order'd by the Church, the daily Prayers of all good Christians throughout their lives.
The second point is, how these Primacies, or any of them ceased, and discontinued, and how Canter∣bury came to be erected and confirm'd in stead. And first of the Imperial Primacy of York. The See of York is conceived to have continued from Faganus, or Wogan, (f being used for v by the Brittains,) the first Archbishop thereof, in the time of King Lucius about 160 after Christ, to the departure of Sampson, about the year 500. from the Saxon fury, into Armorica, or little Brittain,b with Six or Seven of his suffragan
Bishops with him, (whom after Ages called there the Seven Saints of Brittain,) whereof Maclovius, was one, (who gave name toc S••. Maloes,) who were there received, and preferr'd, and Sampson made Bishop of Dole, and Primate of little Brittain, and above Tours, as before. But the Imperial Pall in time, came to be over-rul'd by the Papall; King Ar∣thur recovering that Territory, shortly after, from the Saxons, settles Pyramus, his Chaplain, Archbishop there, about 522. whose successors, there continued, till Thadioc the last Archbishop was driven into Wales, together with Theonus the last Archbishop of London, about the time, or little before, the Arrival of Au¦gustine the Monk, as before, an Argument of Romish foul play. About the year 601. Pope Gregory takes order with Augustine, to maked York, with London, Arch∣bishopricks a new, with dependance upon Rome.
Ad Eboracum civitatem te volumus Episcopum Mittere, &c. We would have you send a Bishop, for the City of York, whom you shall think fit to ordain, but with this proviso, that, if that City, and its Neighbourhood shall receive the word of God, He may ordain 12 Bishops under him, and enjoy the honour of a Metropolitan; for We intend, if God lend life, to send him a Pall likewise, by the help of God. Neither shall he be any way Subject to the jurisdiction of the See of London, the Priority of the one to the other, shall be according to the Seniority of their Consecration.When Edwin King of Northumberland, in the year 627, (after the death of Gregory and Augustine) made Paulinus, who Converted and Baptized him, Archbishop here, he was Ordain'd by Justus, Archbishop of Canterbury,
with this Memorandum,e as Canterbury is Subject to Rome, (whence it had its Faith,) so is York to be Subject to Canterbury, which sent to it, its Bishops and Teachers: thus they agreed to divide the spoyls; But Paulinus was soon routed, out of all the North, by Cadwalhan, upon King Edwins overthrow in 633. And the See manag'd afterwards by Bishops, of Brit∣tish Ordination and Principles; Aidan, Finan, &c. for 30 years, who weref Metropolitan Bishops of York, yet had no Pall, and chose to reside at Lindis∣farne. And Ceadda who was rightly Consecrated Archbishop there, by Brittish Ordination, was inso∣lently, and illegally laid aside, by Theodorus, as before, whereby that Church recovering its Pall in Egbert, became Subject to the Roman, and so continued un∣till the time of our Protestant Restoration: Con∣quests and Invasions of Countreys, being common, and tolerable, amongst the Captains of the World; and especially Heathen; But the subduing, and stealing of one another's Churches and Diocesses, by Christians, and Catholicks, not so, in the Church of God.
London continued a Metropolitan Church for 400 years, and above, from the time of King Lucius, g to the Arrival of Augustine, who Translated that its dignity, to Canterbury, against Law, reason, and the Canons of the Church; Thean, or Theon••s, be∣ing her first Archbishop, who is said to have built the Church of St. Peters Cornhill,g in the time of King Lucius, by the help of Cyranus, the Kings chief Butler; and Elwan, her second (before Embassadour
with Dwywan and Medwin from the King to Pope Eleutherius) who built a Library, adjoyning to the said Church, which continued for many Ages, to the time of Leland, who saw it. And her last Brittish Bishop, being Theonus likewise, who was driven with Thadioc into Wales, by a New Roman-Hea∣thenish Persecution, as afore. Pope Gregoryh in∣tended to settle his Romish Primacy at London, (where the Brittish was before) as appears, from his own Epistles to Monk Augustine, and Mathew Westminster, and Malmesbury, and Polydor Virgil. But what in∣duc'd Augustine to Translate it to Canterbury, against the first Orders of his Pope, or what made the In∣fallible Pope to change his mind, and him, and his Successorsi Boniface, Honorius, &c. by one Pall after another, to confirm its settlement there; there are several conjectures amongst Antiquaries and Hi∣storians: Who agree and confess, it was a great injury and disgrace to London; Math. Westminster, imputes it to fate, and cites the Prophecy of Merlin.k Dignitas Londoniae adornabit Doroberniam. W. of Malmsbury to hisl welcom with King and People at Canterbu∣ry, where he abode 16 years, Sedulitate Hospitis Regis, & Civium charitate captus, which argues he had not so much welcom at London. Kenulph, King of Mercia's Epistle to Leo the third, saith, it was agreed by English Parliament, Cunctis gentis nostrae sapientibus, (which is the best title we heard yet, but that of his Father settling it at Lichfeild) that the Primacy should be there, where the Corps of St. Au∣gustine, their first English-Bishops lyes interred, in St. Peters Church, Consecrated by his Successor
Laurence, who belike knew his mind: And there∣forey Mr. Lambard in his Perambulation of Kent, delivers his judgment thus:
But I think verily, that he meant thereby, to leave a Glorious Monument of his swelling pride, and vanity, whereunto I am the rather led, by the observation of his stately be∣haviour, towards the Brittish Bishops, and some other of his Acts, that savour greatly of vainglory, ambition, and insolence.But, it may be well ima∣gin'd, it was to get Royal Protection, though Hea∣thenish, for his Forreign unlawful Primacy. For therefore Gregory design'd the Pall first for London, because he conceived it to be the Royal City of the Nation: Et ad id tempus alterius obscurae urbis notitia Romanos non Attigisset, The fame of Canterbury was then so obscure, that the Romans had not heard there∣of saithz Malmesbury; when as London was better known unto them, from Roman Authors, and Western Councils. But when Augustine satisfied them at Rome, that Civitas Dorobernia, was Caput gentis Anglorum, a diebus Paganorum, (as the reason of the translation is assign'd in Pope Boniface hisa Letter to Justus the the fourth Archbishop of Canterbury,) that since the Pagans prevail'd over the Brittish Christians, Can∣terbury became the chief City, and the Royal Seat of Hengist's Successors, among whom King Ethelbert, was most powerful over all these parts, (where Lon∣don stood,) as far as Humber; they conceived fit thereupon, to alter their Resolutions; and that the Mitre should follow the Crown for support; and the rather, because the Londoners, (who were most of them reduc'd Brittains, as before was shewed,) were
averse to his Novel Superstitions, and usurp'd Pri∣macy, and (the Diminution of their Metropoliti∣cal dignity thereby, contriv'd through his means and despite) as appear'd by their expulsion of Mellitus, whom he constituted his first Bishop there, as he al∣so Consecrated Laurentius, in his life time, against the Canons of the Church, to succeed him at Can∣terbury, leastb upon his death, the Primacy might return to London. And though it very probably did, a few years after his Cantuarian succession was ex∣tinct, when Ced (of Brittish Institution and Ordina∣tion,) was advanc'd to the See of London, yet that Brittish Restoration, was soon suppress'd, and the Romish Usurpation re-erected at the coming in of Theodore, and his Successors, to be Archbishops of Canterbury, as before; whose power here prevail'd, as well, as over the rest of Europe, by the secret Counsel and permission of Providence, till the Re∣formation, without much interruption, saving that when the Controversy was hot between King Henry the second, and Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Can∣terbury, Gilbert Folioth Bishop of Londonc took his time, (before it was the fatal time) to recover his Archiepiscopal right and Dignity from Canterbury, but in vain; although animated with Prophesies at that time, that London should be a Metro∣politan Church again, at the return of the Brittains into the Island, as Fitz-Stephen reports, who writ about that time: But those Prophesies had not their accomplishments, in general esteem, till the days of our Henryes 7th. and 8th. Wherein, though the Primacy was not restor'd to London, yet it was re∣stor'd to Brittain; and rescu'd from all Roman Ser∣vitude,
Jurisdiction, Nomination, Bulls, and Palls, and Tribute, and Oaths of Obedience to the Pope, and the mark, and title ofd Legate of the Aposto∣lick See, chang'd by decree of Synod, into that of Primate and Metropolitan of all England, as stands the state and dignity thereof at this day: No more de∣pending upon Rome's Schismatical usurpation, but upon the consent and establishment of our Brittish Kings, and Church, ande Laws, and therefore enjoyed from that time forward by its several Pre∣lates, and obeyed by all Ecclesiastical Subjects un∣der it, with a better Conscience, because according to the Laws of the Land, and of the Church, without any wrong or prejudice to Right Owners, or forc'd obedience, to Wrongful Ʋsurpers.
And the third Metropolitical Chaire of Brittain, that of Caerleon, (whose beginningf Bede intimates with others, to be from the time of Lucius and Eleu∣therius,) continued after Austin, to the time of the Normans; whose suffragans gave Austin the meet∣ing at his coming hither: In parte Britonum adhuc vigebat Christianitas, &c.
Amongst the Brittains, saith he, the Christian Religion flourished still, which since the first time, they received it from Eleutherius, never fail'd afterwards amongst them. And after Augustine arriv'd, he found in their Pro∣vince, seven Bishopricks, with an Archbishoprick, fur∣nish'd with most Religious Prelates, and several Abbeys, wherein the Lords flock kept the right course.But though they had their Christianity from that time, and long before, as hath been prov'd, yet clear it is, they had not allg their Episcopal
Sees, in the parts of Wales beyond the Severn, so long; for several of the Bishopricks there, were founded upon the Saxons troubles, and the repair of the Brit∣tains from Loegr thither, for peace and shelter. For so it is manifest,g St. Kentigern, St Davids Contem∣porary, founded the Bishoprick of St. Asaph, in a Corner of the Countrey, andg Mailgwyn Gwynedh, who was chosen Monarch sometime after Arthur, erected Bangor, in another Corner about 560. Andg Landaff acknowledges Dubritius for its first Bishop, (or Archbishop, as some will have it;) yet the Bishop∣ricks of Hereford (as the name in Brittish imports Antiquity,† Henffordh,) and Worcester, and Glou∣cester, &c. (where K. Lucius is said to be buried) might well be of Ancienter date, and consequently Caer∣leon, the Metropolitan over them, whose Citizens, Julius and Aaron, were Martyrs in the time of Diocle∣sian h Which See continued, unsubject to Canter∣bury, (though not to Rome) till the time of Henry first, who subdued those parts; for while they were able to defend themselves against there Invaders under there own Princes, the Pope took another way, and caught, and kept them under, with the same wile, he did the Church of Scotland, which could not endure to hear of any subjection to York, or Canter∣bury; as it is clear in the Case of their King Alex∣ander and Eadmerus, who for his Fame was sent for, from Canterbury, to be Archbishop of St. Andrews, but as soon as he made the lest mention, that it was requisite for him, to have his Consecration from the See of Canterbury.i Alexander conturbatus animo discessit ab eo, nolebat enim Ecclesiam Cantuariensem
praeferri Ecclesiae Sancti Andraeae de Scotiâ. The King was much moved thereat, and turn'd away from him, for he could not endure, that the Church of Canterbury should be preferr'd before that of St. An∣drews in Scotland; and therefore sent Eadmerus back from whence he came. To appease him therefore, and the better to keep and hold that Church under Rome by Craft, (which he saw he could not do by force, neither his own nor others:) The Pope sides with Scotland, against Canterbury: And therefore Pope Clementk sends a pleasing decree to William King of Scotland, in the time of Henry the second, Duxi∣mus statuendum, ut Scoticana Ecclesia Apostolicae sedi, cujus filia specialis existit, nullo mediante, debeat sub∣jacere, & nenimi, nisi Papae, licet interdicere: We thought fit to Decree, that the Church of Scotland, ought to be subject to none, but the Apostolical See alone, and to be censur'd by no other Superiour. So the Scots are back'd by the Pope, to stand upon their Liberty, against Canterbury, for which the Brittains were destroyed, and murder'd by the means of Augustine. Yet their sin lay not there, they also, by like submission to the Church of Rome, shall be alike exempted from Canterbury; and Elbodiusl besides, be made an Archbishop, to betray his Church for a Pall; The old Christian Church prevail'd over the World by truth: The Carnal way of Rome, is most by Palls and preferments, to the proud, and Covet∣ous. And accordingly the Bishops of St. David had a new Pall from the Pope, and the Confirmation of their Archiepiscopal Dignity, by a new power, (which yet was soon lost) when times turn'd, and
their Enemies prevail'd, (saithm H. Huntington) in whose time this fell out; The Popes never failing to side with the strongest side, and their greatest gain. And Roger Hoveden and Cambrensis, both agree in the Relation following, Ʋsque ad Anglorum Regem Henricum primum, &c.n The Church of St. David, enjoyed all along, all manner of Metropolical digni∣ty, the use of the Pall excepted, to the time of Henry the first, King of England, who Conquer'd that part of Wales, and subjected the Welsh to the English Church, owing Subjection to no Church before, but to the Roman only, and to her immediately, as the case also is of the Scottish Church. The Bishops of Wales being always Consecrated, till that time, by the Archbishop of St. David, and he likewise by them, as his suffragans, no profession of obedience, or subjection being made to any other Church. And so the succession and dignity continued to the year 1115. that Bernard (not chosen by the Clergy of Wales, pro more,o but nominated by K. Henry 1.) and David Fitz Gerald, by King Ste∣phen, and Peter by Henry 2. and Galfridus in the time of King John, Regio urgente mandato, Cantuariae Consecrationem susceperunt, saith Cambrensis,p per Regiam violentiam, saith Hoveden, were forc'd by the Kings command to take their Consecration at Can∣terbury,p And David, and Peter, besides, had oaths (against the Canons) imposed upon them, that they should stir no more in defence of their Metropoliti∣cal right. But Bernard afterp the death of Henry 1. tryed his title notwithstanding with Theobald Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, in the Council of Remes, but
the cause being remov'd to the Court of Rome, before Eugenius the third, he was over-born by Purse, and witnesses, that prov'd against him, his promise of obe∣dience to the See of Canterbury, (which he wholly denyed) as well as his Consecration thence had, (which he willingly granted) and so lost his cause; and was decreed to be Subject to the See of Canter∣buny. Yetp Giraldus Cambrensis being chosen, had the Courage to try again this title, with Arch-Bishop Hubert before Innocent the third, but was over-rul'd to obey him; Et Papap praecepit non amplius ex∣torqueri illicitum juramentum de non prosequendo jure Metropolico, sed tantum exigeret canonicam obedien∣tiam. And the Pope order'd the Arch-Bishops of Can∣terbury, should no more exact, that unlawful Oath, of not trying their Metropolical title any more, (for that might hinder grist to Rome) but that they should rest contented with Canonical obedience only, for the future. And so, as the Learned, and Candid, Sr. Henry Spelman bewailes, Brittannicae Ecclesiae radius ultimus, the last spark of the Brittish Glory was put out, which had continued 400 years, before the time of Austin, and 600 years after. Illud quaero (saith the sameq Author) quî factum sit, ut Caerlegionenses, alias Menevenses, Episcopi, successoresque sui, qui ab aevo Lucii Metropoliticis Floruêre Privilegis, & Ar∣chiepiscopi nominati, nullâ, quod sciam pulsati Synodo, sine Crimine, provinciâ sua & Antiqua Jurisdictione deinceps sunt exuti atque spoliati. This I ask, how it should come to pass, that the Bishops of Caerleon, or St. Davids, and their Successors; which ever from the time of King Lucius, were Adorn'd with all Me∣tropolitical Priviledges, and bore the name and stile of Arch-Bishops, should nevertheless, without being
call'd in question in any Synod, as I could ever learn, or any Crime, or defection laid ever to their charge, be spoil'd and devested of their Province, and An∣cient Jurisdiction for ever, without remedy. If private Interest did permit others, who are more concern'd to be as sensible of this wrong, and Sacriledge, as was this honest and conscientious Lay-Gentleman; half a word spoaken to any of our Gracious Princes, by our Reverend Bishops, in behalf of a long op∣pressed Church, would make Wales also, a full sharer in the Common liberty, and benefit of the Reforma∣tion: They being the first sufferers in Europe, for their early opposition against the Supremacy, and Superstitions of Rome, several hundreds of years before Martyn Luther was born, or heard off, and therefore more fit to be considered, notwithstanding former enmities, (who ever was in fault) in a Pro∣testant Church, and a Polite and curious Nation, (that hath a fam'd regard for Antiquity in stones and marbles:) The visible and distinct Remnant of the Ancient Brittains in Wales, (whom Rome hath en∣deavoured these 1000 years, to suppress and destroy, in their fortunes, and faith, and fame, and value, and love with several of the English,) being the most Ancient, standing, and living Monument, and Re∣cord against Popery, in this our Western World. Must that Ancient leaven, (that gain is godliness, and Su∣periority, hook or by crook, over Ancienter Churches) be retained with scandall for ever in the best of Re∣formed Churches? Is there none that will speak but for themselves? none against themselves, and purse, and pride, for conscience, Justice, and the interest of Protestantism? And yet I believe the Brittish Church had rather rest in Patience, as they are, than arrive at any deliverance, or redress, or liberty, by any means
unpeaceable, or unamicable, much less indirect: Nei∣ther can their rights and Priviledges be further with∣held from them, without deserving, and Incurring the Censures and Anathemaes of General Councils, manifest, and unanimous, in their defence; which if they are not to be regarded, wherefore are they Read, or Printed? and not without some defiling approbation of a most unrighteous, and an uncon∣scionable Popish Sentence, past against them, and their Successors, without cause, (and with as little colour) against all faith, and Truth, and promise of Protection, leaving them in the Lurch, in the midst of their trust and submission, against the use, and Custom, and Instinct, and honour of all Patrons, and Creatures whatsoever, but his Holiness alone. With∣all, hard usage is more tolerable from an Enemy, than from a friend, and from the corrupt Roman Church, (where tyrannical and ambitious principles are so openly professed and own'd) than from a neighbour∣ing Orthodox Church of Christ, who suck'd the breasts of the Brittish, or others at least, who had been nurs'd and nourished by her Milk. Neither was it the Intention, or practice of the Roman Court, that Churches should remain concluded for ever, by any of its Sentences, whether just, or un∣just; as appears in the frequent contests heretofore, between the Arch-Bishops of York and Canterbury for Primacy, where (after both parties were well spunged and squeezed) by decrees and Sen∣tences for each, the right of precedency reverted after all where it ran before, in its former Channell. If a Pope predecessor exempted York from Canterbury, upon a considerable feeling; The Next Pope, his Suc∣cessor, who had no share in that Boon, is troubled in Conscience (if well illuminated by a splendid present
from the adverse side,) till Canterbury were righted, and the Ghost of Austin appeas'd. At last this Con∣troversy was referr'd by the Pope, to the pleasure and decision of our own Kings; whose Original right, to judge of this Cause, was now remarkably estabish∣ed in the Crown, by this concession and president, from what motive soever it proceeded, (for it thwarted two of their chiefest fundamentalls, their Profit, and their Incommunicable Judicature of Church matters,) which they seldom quit, where they have either cowardly or credulous Kings to deal with. And so we find that the wise and valiant King Ed∣ward the third, put an everlasting period to that Con∣troversy under his greata Seal. As any of his Pro∣testant Successors, being better enlightned, and Brit∣tishly allyed, may give due redress to the Ancient See, of St. David, in like manner, if they please; and also unite Canterbury to London, as it was ever at first. The Extinction of great and Ancient Sees, being Sacri∣ledge, but their Translation from that place to this, the undoubted right of Princes, which is the third point.
That the Protestant Constitution and Confirma∣tion of the Primacy of Canterbury, is according to theb Canons of the Universal Church, as well as the Law of this Land, which is sufficiently cleared before, and hereafter, and more at large, and irrefragably, by several great Writers of our Church, particularly Dr. Hammond, and Archbishop Bramhall, to whom they are referred, who have a mind to meet more Instances and Presidents on this point: And our Ro∣manists, of any men, should not except, or regret,
at the Constitution of our chief Chairs by the Au∣thority of our lawful and Brittish Kings, whose first power, and footing here, was by the aid and assistance of Conquerours and Invaders, to the wrong of this Church. For though the Pope first pointed out London, (who had the same right to dispose of the Crown, as of the Chaire,) yet the Influence of King Ethelbert settled the Primacy at Canterbury, as some of the Norman Kings wrested that of St. David to it, by meer force and power. If therefore they believe, in behalf of themselves, that Kings may constitute, or translate Metropolitan Sees, against old Right, and Canons, much more may they do the same, with Right and Canons of their side: For lawful Kings in their own Territories succeed in that power, which was given, or restor'd by General Councils, to Christian Empe∣rours, to make what Alteration and translations of Sees and Primacies, as they should see cause: The Emperours and Metropolitans both agreeing and consenting, that before any new Metropolitan See should be alter'd, that the Mother Church should be satisfied, and understand from his Majesty under his hand, that he was not surpriz'd, or sollicited, or misled by others, in what he did, (as well might be the Case of Canterbury, in its Confirmation by our English Kings, in the darkness of Popery, before the Reformation,) but that he did it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, of his own accord, and choice, and for a just and conve∣nient cause; either out of respect to the Dignity of the new place, or City; or out of particular honour to the personal vertue and merits of its present Prelate; or for some publick benefit and advantage to the Church in general, as Balsamon Notes on the 38 Canon of the General Council in Trullo: whereby it appears, that it is still in the power and Authority
of the Kings of Great Brittain, to settle, continue, or translate this Primacy, by their Laws, to what place, they please, and to restore the same to London, where it formerly was, if by any just cause they shall be mov'd thereunto: Either 1. out of respect to the 6th. Canon of the great and venerable Coun∣cil of Nice, upon which the Rights of London stood founded, when they were Schismatically Invaded, by a high hand from Rome, and for many years wrongfully detain'd and usurp'd. Or 2. to cut off all pretence and colour of subjection, or dependance of this Church upon Rome, and all occasion of stumb∣ling to the weak Sons of the Church of England, and Ignorant in History, who are misled to believe, that Rome is the Mother Church of Brittain, because it was undoubtedly of Canterbury; which is now the reputed Mother Church of all England; And by con∣sequence that our Reformation was Schismatical and scandalous, (the Daughter judging, and rejecting the Mother; the Inferiour the Superiour,) and of ill consequence to be approved by Princes. Whereas Rome Originally never came to be a Mother to our Brittain, so much as in pretence, but only by Schisme and incroachment, most fit and just to be remedied by Princes, in discountenance of wrong, and disobedi∣ence. Because 3. The Learned of the Church of Rome, dayly hit our Prelates of that See, in the Teeth, and the Unlearned likewise, harbour evil opinions and surmises concerning them, and forbear not to vent and utter them, as if they were Ʋngrateful, and Par∣ricidial in their Actings, against their first Founder and Maintainer, whereby some of themselves also might be discourag'd, and cool'd in their zeal, against the Romish Ʋsurpation, to which their honour'd pre∣decessors owed Allegiance: Whereas Augustine the
first founder, had his maintenance, and dignity, and ways of acquisitions, from the Brittish See of Lon∣don, (whereof Canterbury is parcel, or the same) and owed Canonical obedience, and the rights and for∣tunes of his Successors, to the Brittish Church; to whom they are ultimately to refund, if these are to refund to them, as to the right and first owners. Be∣cause (4.) it would be a great strength, (and but a due and just vindication of Protestantism, or the Apostolical, Ancient, Brittish Church, after such long abuse and wrongful suffering by Rome,) and a New face, and reviving glory to old Brittain, to reco∣ver its Pristine right, and condition, in Church, as well as State, and Name; and worthy of a share in those Solemn Consultations appointed, (as it were by providential instinct) for its further Union in Laws and Government, to the everlasting honour of that Prince, in whose Reign it should be recorded, to be accomplished. Or, (6.) to make our chief See in Brittain, hold some better proportion with the like, in Neigbouring Kingdoms, (as Remes, or Toledo, whom in Universities, and Colledge Endowments, we far exceed to our Glory,) to be a fit preferment for some of our Princes, or chiefest Nobles, hereafter, for the great support of the Church. Or at least, (7.) that the name and memory of Monk Augustin, (the first Author of this disorder by his Infamous Schisms and murders) which Reign'd so many hundreds of years, in such glory, under the darkness of Popery, should set at last in due obscurity, under the Sun-shine of Protestan∣tism. Which considerations are recounted, not out of any design, or desire of Innovation, though into a Pristine right; or, to restore the bone into its due place with pain and danger, that hath been so long out of joynt, and well serves for use, though not
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rightly set: (Though the whole design, and plea of the Church of Rome be, that a bone rightly set, and settled, and fully useful, ought to be dislocated, to the hazard and cripling of the whole, to be in the wrong posture, it once was for a time, for their ad∣vantage and benefit:) But to solve scruples, and unravel scandals, and pluck up all misapprehensions by the roots, whereby any might be deluded, by any pretences of Equity, or conscience, or filial Reve∣rence for a Mother-Church, into a favourable opi∣nion of Romish slavery; Or, if any be prick'd in con∣science, for the wrong done to Rome, at the Refor∣mation, let the same prick reach, to the wrong done before to Brittain, by Romes Schismatical Invasion, which no prescription of time, or years could give right to, and then all will be in right order, as at first they were, and ought to be; (and the first right owners shall have their due, and old Trepassers their censure and rejection) yea, as by good providence, they now are, and stand: for it ought to be well known, and understood, that the See of Canterbury, (as it stands Established) is not a Roman, but a Brit∣tish See; and consequently Exempt from all Romish Superiority, or dependance, by an Original Birth-right, and Immunity; and therefore forbiden by our Laws and Synods, to use, or wear any Pall, or Li••••••y, or Legatine power, of Rome's bestowing; and settled by our Brittish Soveraigns, in Christ-Church Canterbury, as effectually, and Canonically, as at St. Pauls in London; which all Christians of Brittain, whether of Protestant, or Catholick stamp, and Character, may now with a safe and good con∣science, pay due submission and obedience to, (as they ought,) without Schism, or scandal, or forfei∣ture of their Christian Dignities, and Orders, and
Communion, by the Canons of the Universal Church hereafter to be recited, which before they could not; For though Schism be objected by the Romanists to the Episcopals, as by the Episcopals, to the Presbyte∣rians, and Non-conformists; yet the Pope in Brittain, and his Romish Conv••••••cl••s, (set up by craft, or ••io∣lence, over our Churches, which lay out of his Juris∣diction,) ever were the Original Schismaticks, and the first Patterns, and ill examples of disobedience, a∣gainst Right Superiours, against so many good Laws of the Catholick Church, that do Excommunicate, and depose them for it. And nothing in all likelyhood, hath, or doth, more foment, and ch••••ish, our remain∣ing divisions in the Land, and S••••••s in the Church, than Jealousie of Popery, and it sp••••ted hankerings and designs, to reduce men again, under the old yoak of Rome▪ so much d••rest••••, and justly abhorr'd, by the whole Nation. If All in Trust, and Eminency, could fully satisfie men's fears, and Suspitions, of their unfeigned adherence, under God, and the King, to their Brittish Mother-Church, in opposition, and detestation of all Forreign Corrivals for Superiority; It were strange, and justly unexpected, if all parties throughout this miserably divided Nation, would not soon joyn hearts, and hands, and Church-meetings, with one another, in an entire and indissolvable Uni∣on, and Brotherhood, to the Infinite joy and happiness of Prince and People.
Histor. proaemio.
G. Malmesbury prolog l. 1. de Gestis Anglorum Pontificum.
Usher p. 98.
Bede lib. 2. c. 2.
Hoveden pars poster. p. 454.
Plat in Eleuth.
Bede lib. 1. c. 29.
Concil Arelat apud Spelm.
Usher c. 5. p 95, 96.
Fragm. legum Moelmut. apud G. Moris de Llansilin.
Polydor Virgil lib. 2. p. 45.
Conc. Chalcedon Can. 12. 17. Const. c. 3.
Con. Nicen c. 7.
Photii Nomocan Tit 1. c. 5.
Concil in Trullo Can. 38
Photii Nomocan Tit. 1. c. 20.
Balsam in Can. 17. Concil Chalcedon.
Innocentius Tertius de Officio missae lib 1. c. 51. Clem Pontifi∣cal p. 86.
Spondan. An. 32. n. 94.
Sueton in Aug. § 98.
Spond. A. 492. n. 93. Platin. in vita liano
Donatio Constantini.
Spond. A. 492. n. 93.
Idem A. 536. n 17.
Idem A. 336. n. 17.
Bede l. 1. c. 28, 29. Usher p. 69.
Bede l. 1. c. 28, 29. Usher p. 69.
Bede l. 1. c. 28, 29. Usher p. 69.
Greg. lib. 7 Epist 5. c. 5. & Epist 114.
Ibid.
Ibid. Platina in Leone secundo.
Pontif. Rom. Clem. p. 8. 86.
Inno∣centius ••tius. de Officio misse l. 1. c. 51. Pontif Rom. Ibid.
An∣tiq. Eccl. in Deneo p. 302.
Pontif. Rom p. 89.
Gratian distinct 100
Eadmer Histor. Nov. lib. 4. p. 98.
Math. Paris 1215. p. 463.
Fox Acts and Mon. vol. 1. p. 223.
Godwin Ca∣talog p. 133.
Antiquitates Ecclesiasticae p. 326.
Bede 1. 28.
Girald Cambrens Itinerarium Cambr. lib. 2. c. 1.
Usher p. 74, 75.
Usher p. 74, 75.
Antiq. Eccl. 302. in Deneo.
Pontific Rom p. 68.
Usher p 175.
Usher p. 990.
Monast. Angl. part 1 p. 171.
Dictio∣nar Cambrobrit. Dris Davies▪ Pen caput. teyrnas Regnum.
Photii Nomocan Tit: 8. c. 1.
Virgil.
Lhûn Effigies, Dain Diana, Brittain, Brit. Prydain; Pryd, forma vultus. Diana was a great Goddess in Asia Act. 19. as also in Brittain, agreeing with the East in Idolatry, as afterward in Re∣ligion
Math Westm. An. 601. & 604. Usher 66.67. & p. 127.
Polyder Virgil lib 4. p. 71.
Idem p. 56.
Usher 68.69.
Histor Brittannic. lib. 6. c. 4.5.
Usher p. 175.
Histor. Britt l. 9. c. 8.14, 15. l. 11. c. 3.
Histor. Britt l. 9. c. 8.14, 15. l. 11. c. 3.
Apud Usher 1129. Hist. Britt. l. 8. c. 8. Ubbo Emmius l. 3. p. 107.
Apud Usher 1129. Hist. Britt. l. 8. c. 8. Ubbo Emmius l. 3. p. 107.
Usher p. 1132. & p. 83. Quanquam & ipsius Augustini temporibus inurbe Le∣gionum, sedem Archiepiscopatûs adhuc haesisse, cum ab aliis, tum ab Authore Chronici, quod Brutus, appellatur, proditum inveni∣am; unde ijdem Legionenses & Menevenses Antistites Giraldo.
Quod pulchrius manus Deorun, quam castus & Sanctus, & diis similimus Princeps? Plin. Paneg.
Usher. p. 74. 75.
Usher 533.
Bede lib. 1. c. 29. lib 2. c. 4.
Antiquit Eccles. p 14.
Usher p. 78. ex S••eephan (qui & Aedd••) Bedae ••quali, & ••im Dunelmenf.
Usher p. 69. ex Simonis Baldoc Episcopi Londinensis Chronico, & tabula pensili Ecclesiae St. Pet••i in Cornhill.
Usher p. 69. ex Simonis Baldoc Episcopi Londinensis Chronico, & tabula pensili Ecclesiae St. Pet••i in Cornhill.
Bede lib. 1. c. 29. c. 33. Antiq. Eccles. p. 34.
Bed. lib 2. c. 8.18.
Galfrid. lib 12. c. 17.18.
Guil. Malmesb. Initio lib de gestis Pontifi. lib 1. c. 4.
Lambard Peramb. p. 79.
G. Malmesbury de Gestis Pontif▪ l. 1. c. 1.
Antiquit. Eccles p. 14.
Lamb. Peramb p. 79.
Usher p. 71.
Antiquit. Ecclesiasticae in Cranmero p. 329.
25 H. 8. c. 2.
Bede lib. 2. c. 2.
Usher p. 80, 88.
Usher p. 75, 76, 80, 88.
Usher p. 75, 76, 80, 88.
Usher p. 75, 76, 80, 88.
Hen, vetus: Fsordh, via.
Bed. lib. 1. c. 7.
Ead∣mer Histor. Nov. lib. 5 p. 132.
••og Hoveden pars posterior p. 372.
Elbodius Archiepis∣copus factus ob conciliatos Cambros Romanae Ecclesiae H. Lhuid fragm. p. 55.
Usher p: 85. ex H. Hun
Cambrens. Itinerar lib 2. c. 1
Goodwins Catalogue in Bernard.
Roge Hoveden pars posterior p. 454.
Roge Hoveden pars posterior p. 454.
Roge Hoveden pars posterior p. 454.
R. Hoveden pars. poster. p, 454.
R. Hoveden pars. poster. p, 454.
Spelm. Conc. p. 26. & p. 110.
Sr. Roger Twisden Histor. Vindicat. p. 21, 22.
Photii Nomocanon Tit. 1. c. 20. Concil. Eph. Can. 8. Concil in Trullo Can. 38. Concil Chalced. Can. 12. & 17.