An apology for the discipline of the ancient Church

4. Of which proud and profane Pest-house, that Austin who was sent from Gregory, the last of the good Bishops, end the first of the bad Popes of Rome, is reputed to be the father and founder in this our Land, &c.

1. OF Gregory, I know what you bring is so common that it is in e∣very mans mouth, for as it is in M. Fox in the place you cite, that of the number of all the first Bishops before him in the Primitive Church, he was the basest, and of all them that came after him he was the best. Upon what ground the first part of this sentence was spoken I know not; let them give accompt that said it. For this is certain, that he was a learned and pious father of the Church, as his works testifie; and the strongest battery out of the fathers we can make against the Popes claim and usurpation to his uni∣versal supremacy, is fetch't from him. For he calls the title of universal su∣premacy by these appellations; 1. Typum superbiae. 2. Nomen novum. 3. Vocabulum temerarium stultum. 4. Superbum pempaticum. 5. Perver∣sum. 6. Superstitiosum Profanum. 7. Scelestum. 8. Nomen erroris. 9. Nomen singularitatis. 10. Nomen vanitatis. 11. Nomen hypocriseos. 12. Nomen blasphemiae, as Bishop Jewel hath taught me out of his Epistles. Some men may perhaps esteem meanly of him for giving countenance to some then growing superstitions in the Romane Church; but the commen∣dation given him by two, who lived near the same time is great. The first is Isidore Arch-Bishop of Syvil, who writes thus presently upon his death, Gregorius Papa Romanae sedis & Apostolicae Praesul, compunctione timoris Dei plenus, & humilitate summus, tantó{que} per gratiam Spiritus sancti scientiae lumine praeditus, ut non modo illi praesentium temporum quis∣quam, sed in praeteritis quidem par fuit unquam. This is the testimony of Isidore, which Hildefonsus Arch-Bishop of Toledo having cited not long after, adds these words, Ita virtutum omnium claruit perfectione, ut (exclusis omnium virorum comparationibus) nihil illi simile demonstret antiquitas. Vicit enim sanctitate Antonium, eloquentia Cyprianum, sepi∣cutta Augustinum. And though no question these praises of Gregory were hyperbolical, yet they justifie the latter part of Mr. Foxes words, that of all the Popes which came after him he was the best. He that shall read his life in Paulus Diaconus, will have just reason to have a charitable opinion of him; that I say not his own writings yet extant proclaime him in the gate.

Before I come to his Legate Austin the Monk, necessary it is that I premise somewhat. That Christianity was early planted in this our Island, is evident by the testimonies of Tertullian, Origen, Chrysostome, Theodoret, which you may read in Juel: That Paul and Peter came hither and preached, there are some Records; some say Simo•• Zelotes, some speak of Aristobulus; but that which is generally received, and for which there is good evidence, is that Joseph of Arimathea sailing out of France with his son Joseph and ten others, travailed through Britaine, and preach'd the

Gospel there; to which purpose serves that testimony of Gildas, Tempore ut scimus summo Tiberii Caesaris radios suos huic insulae primus indulget Christus, and Cardinal Baronius sets down the year of Josephs comming hither, out of an Ancient Manuscript of the Vatican, viz. the nineteenth of Tiberius reigne, and the 35 of our Lord. Some testimonies also there are for the improvement of it in the next Century, but the light broke forth clearest under King Lucius about the year 180. who consulted E∣leutherus the Bishop of Rome, and from him received advice. 'Tis the ho∣nour of our Nation, to have had the first Christian King of the world: he was instructed in the faith by Elvan and Meduni, and with these he sent his own Embassadours Fugatius and Damian, qui quibusdam ritibus, ac so∣lenni Episcoporum dispositione eandem formarent Ecclesiam. And he e∣rected three Arch-Bishopricks, one at London, and record we have of the particular Bishops that governed in that Sea. A second at York. A third at Caerleon upon Vsk, in which Dubritius and Saint David were Arch-Bishops wirh others too long to name. For four hundred years then and more, that is, from the conversion of King Lucius to Austins coming, this was the state and government of the British Church; but in the latter times much eclipsed by the incursion of the Scots and Picts, and the tenth persecution under Dioclesian, but more by the invasion and cruelty of the Saxons, when they were forced to retire, and their Pastours with them into Wales and Cornwal. The greater part of the Land being now again be∣come Idolatrous and Heathenish: this gave occasion unto Gregory to send Austin the Monk for their conversion, which he effected in some part; but the greatest part may not be attributed unto him; since it is well known that Aidan converted the North parts; Finan the East Saxons and the Mer∣cians, whose Coadjutors were Ceadda, Colman, &c. These professed no subjection to the Church of Rome, and deserve to be partakers of as much honour from our British Nation, as Austin. Him I shall easily grant you, upon the credit of the Records, to have been a proud, undiscreet, and cru∣el bloody Prelate: but never that he was the father and founder of this proud and profane Pest-house as you called it in this Land; I mean the go∣vernment of the Church by Arch-Bishops and Bishops. For it is evident that in King Lucius time they were instituted: And before Augustins arrival, Anno 522. at the Coronation of Arthur, there was a great meeting of Lords, Princes and Bishops at Caerleon; and that of the three Arch-Bi∣shops of Britaine at that time, Dulritius Archipraesul, Primas, Arch-Bi∣shop of Caerleon did the Office of the Church that day, being the feast of Pentecost. This Arch-Bishops seat was afterward by his Successor Saint David translated to Saint Davids, which so continued till the Norman Conquest. But the answer which the British Bishops gave to Austin, being summoned to give him a meeting, where by perswasions, threats and all manner of means, he endeavoured to draw the Britaine Bishops to an entire conformity to the Church of Rome, is so clear an evidence, that I cannot see how it can be evaded; for the answer was short and peremptory, that they might not submit themselves to him, having an Arch-Bishop of their

own, &c. And in a second meeting, being offended with his pride, be∣cause he would not rise to them at their coming into the Assembly, they gain-said him in every thing; for say they, si modo nobis assurgere noluit, quanto magis si ei subjici ceperimus, nos pro nihilo contemnet?

This repulse occasioned the slaughter of the Monks of Bangor, over whom Dinoth was the Caenobiarcha, as Bale calls him, who as it is supposed was that holy man in Bede, that taught them how to discern whether he was sent of God to them or no. For saith he, if he be a meek and an humble man, it is an evident signe, that he bears the yoke of Christ, and offers the same to you; but if he be stout and proud, he is not of God, you may be sure; and his deportment was such as I said, which alienated the Bishops minds, and the Monks with them. Our adversaries of Rome take it very ill, that Austin should be thus accused of pride and cruelty, and use all their wits in his excuse. They would perswade us he was dead, when this Massacre was committed; but Bishop Juel hath evidently confuted their allegations, and made it appear that in that Warre he was alive, and the instigator of it. Had you then set the saddle upon the right horse, and fixed those Epi∣thites of proud and profane upon Austin, you had some colour for it. But to fasten it upon the whole order, upon Arch-Bishops and Metropolitans, for one mans sake is want of charity, of which he was not the founder neither in this Land, as I have proved to you. Nor Fox, nor any English Historians, nor Evagrius say any such thing; Evagrius could not, for nor Gregory was Bishop of Rome, nor Austin sent hither when he writ & ended his History. All that Fox or any other Historian can say, is that Austin was the first Arch-Bishop of Canterbury; and that shall readily be yielded you; now when I hear, how you can improve that concession to your advantage, you shall receive an an∣swer. I could if I pleased anticipate your objections, but I will not now do it, because I hasten to what follows.

Notes

• Jewel. Cont. Hardingum. Act. 4. Sect. 4.
• Isidore de viris illustrib. cap. 17
• Hildef. de viris illustrib.
• Juel. Artic. 3. Sect. 24.
• Patric. Junius Annot. in Ep. Clementis. Dorotheus in Synopsi.
• Vide Ephraim. Pagit. part. 3. pag. 1. 2, &c. Baron. Annal. Anno 35.
• Lib. Til. Bal. Script. Britanniae. Cent. 1. pag. 17. Bishop God∣win, Dr. Pitsae.
• Beda. lib. 3. cap. 6.21, 22, 24. &c.
• Bale. Fol. 35. Cent. 1. Bed. lib. 2.2.
• Galfrid. Mo∣num. lib 9. cap. 12. 13.

  Bale fol. 28.
• Bale. Cent. 1. fol. 30.

  Bede. lib. 2 c. 2. Galfr. Monum. lib. 11. cap. 12. Godw. page 45.
• Sir H. Spel∣man. Conc. Bri∣tan. An. 590. ex Manusc. Saxon. Bed. lib. 2. c. 2. Bale Cent. 1. fol. 35.

  Bede lib. 2. c. 2.
• Juel. defens. A∣polog. quinta pars. cap. 1. di∣visio prima.