Early Christianity in the British Isles [pp. 190-201]

-Early Ch6ritianity
then by sound and capable theologians of each succeeding
generation down to our own day. But he asks no witnesses;
his works are before us, to speak for themselves.
ART. II.-Early Christianity in the British Isles.
BRITAIN was first invaded by the Romans, about half a century before the birth of Jesus Christ. The horrible rites of
Druidism then prevailed over the Island. With the inhabitants of Britain, and with the appalling rites of this superstition, the Roman people were made acquainted through the Commentaries of Julius Caesar. Under the Emperor Claudius, who
invaded the Island in person, about A. D. 43, the country was
for the most part subjugated to the invincible arms of the
Romans; and it continued in their possession down to the
middle of the fifth century. It is a fact sufficiently ascertained
by history, that the Roman conquests led to the extermination
of Druidism, and thus, in the providence of God, paved the
way for the introduction of Christianity.
Of the first introduction of Christianity into Great Britain
we have no authentic information. The legendary records of
the monkish historians of the middle ages are unworthy of
credit. But while we do not acknowledge the authority of
tradition, we may at least listen to its voice, and collect the
substance of what it has most unvaryingly handed down to us.
Tradition often contains the outlines of historical truth, and
while rejecting its amplifications and details, we may in some
instances allow the main circumstances to be true.
In the traditionary annals of the British Isles, we find the
name of the apostle Paul mentioned as the first who planted
the gospel among the Britons. This is one of the most uncertain and vague of the many traditions on this subject. But
Bishop Stillingfleet, Adam Clarke, and others, have supposed
that this account is. corroborated by the words of Clement of
190
[APRIL