The History of the Church of Great Britain, Century 7
CENT. VII.
ABout the year 601. Pope Gregory I. ſent two Archbiſhops Palls into England, the one for London, the other for York: The former of theſe Cities had been honoured with an Archbiſhop's See ſome hundred years ſince King Lucius; but at the Inſtance of Auguſtine, and by a new order of the foreſaid Gregory, this Pall ſent to London, was removed thence to Canterbury (whereof Auguſtine was made Archbiſhop) and there fixed and confirmed. Canterbury was the place wherein Chriſtianity was firſt received by the Saxons, and is therefore honoured to perpetuate the memory thereof; and London muſt hereafter be contented with the plain-ſeat of a Biſhop.
Then Auguſtine by the aid of Ethelbert King of Kent, called a Council of Saxon and Britiſh Biſhops to meet in the confines of the Mercians and Weſt Saxons, in the borders of Wo…ſter and Hereford-ſhires, under an Oak, knowing that the Pagan Britains performed their ſuperſtition under an Oak, in ſome imitation, and yet a correction of their Idolatry, as Sir Henry Spelman Sir H. Spelm. in Conciliis. Geoffry of Monmouth, calling the Britains the Lord's flock, ſaith, Grex Domini rectum ordinem tenebat. Galf. Monum. lib. 11 c. 12.ſheweth. But this Synod proved ineffectual; the Britiſh Biſhops, and many very Learned Men (far differing from Romiſh Prieſts) rejected his Traditions which he brought from Rome, and would not admit thereof, deteſted his Pride, renounced his Authority, and would not accept of him for their Archbiſhop, as he deſired to be; and for the ſpace of an hundred years at leaſt, refuſed to communicate with thoſe that had received the ſame. And then the Biſhops and Churches of Scotland joyned with the Britains againſt thoſe new obſervations which the ſame Auguſtine brought from Rome. At that time there were 1200. Monks at the Monaſtery of Bangor in Wales (not Popiſh Monks; and idle Belly-gods, but) all living with the labour of their hands, and beſtowing the time of reſt from their labours in Prayer and Meditation on the Scriptures. Over that Church, at Auſtin's coming, was Dinochus a Learned Man, who, when Auſtin required the Britiſh Biſhops to be ſubject to his Romiſh Authority, convinced them by diverſe Arguments, that they did not owe him any ſuch ſubjection; whereat Auguſtine being highly offended, is ſaid to have ſpoken theſe words, Quod ſi pacem cum fratribus accipere nollent, bellum ab hoſtibus forent accepturi: & ſi Nationi Anglorum noluiſſent viam vitae praedicare, per horum manus ultionem eſſent mortis paſſuri: that if they would not accept of peace with their Brethren, they ſhould receive War from their Enemies; and ſeeing they would not joyn with him in Preaching the way of life to the Saxons, they ſhould feel the force of their Enemies Sword: And ſome Writers ſay, that he ſtirred up Ethelfred King of Northumberland againſt them, who, with an Army of Infidels, cruelly and unmercifully ſlew them, who came forth to him in their ſhirts to entreat for mercy, fifty onelyonly eſcaping.
But their innocent blood went not long unrevenged, for we read, how three Britiſh Princes, viz. Blederick Duke of Cornwall, Margaduc Duke of South Wales, and Cadwan Duke of North Wales, Nicol. Trivet.gave Battel to the Northumberlanders, as they were invading Wales, and not onelyonly dangerouſly wounded the foreſaid. Ethelfred their King, but alſo diſcomfited his Army, and ſlew ten thouſand and ſixty of his Souldiers; forcing him at laſt to Articles of compoſition, that he ſhould confine himſelf within his own Countrey, North of Trent, and leave all Wales to be entirely and peaceably enjoyed by the Britains, the true owners thereof.
Here we are to take our farewell of the Britiſh Church, for ſome hundreds of years, wanting inſtructions concerning the remarkable particulars thereof, ſaith Dr. Fuller in his Church Hiſtory of Britain.
Let us now return to our Auguſtine, who all this while was very induſtrious, and no leſs ſucceſsful in converting the Saxons to the Chriſtian Faith, inſomuch that a certain Author reporteth, how in the River Swale near Richmond in York-ſhire, Auguſtine in one day Baptized above ten thouſand: but Bede makes no mention at all hereof, and aſcribeth this numerous baptizing to Paulinus Biſhop of York many years after. In that age nothing was uſed with Baptiſm, but Baptiſm, the word and the water made the Sacrament. At Corn in Dorſet-ſhire Auſtin deſtroyed the Idol of Heale, or Aeſculapius, which the Saxons formerly adored.
Sebert King of Eſſex (Nephew to Ethelbert King of Kent by Ricula his ſiſter) embraced the Faith, with all his Kingdome, by the Miniſtry of Mellitus, whom Auguſtine ordained Biſhop of London: making alſo one Juſtus a Roman Biſhop of Rocheſter.
Bed. Eccl. Hiſt. li…. 2. ca. 3.Auguſtine died, and was buried in the Northern part of the new Church in Canterbury, dedicated to Peter and Paul. Bede ſaith this inſcription was written upon his Monument. Here reſteth Lord Auguſtine, the firſt Archbiſhop of Canterbury, who being in times paſt ſent hither by bleſſed Gregory Biſhop of the Roman City, and ſupported by God with the working of Miracles, brought King Ethelbert and his Country from the Worſhiping of Idols to the faith of Chriſt, and the daies of his Office being finiſhed in peace, he died the ſeventh of the Calends of June, the ſame King reigning. But in this Epitaph one thing is wanting, and that mainly material, namely the year that he did.
After the death of Auguſtine, Laurentius a Roman ſucceeded him, whom Auguſtine in his life-time ordained in that place. King Ethelbert, having reigned fifty Six, and been a Chriſtian one and twenty years, died, and was buried nigh to Queen Bertha (who died a little before him) in the Porch of St. Martins Church in Canterbury; which fabrick with ſome other Churches, by him were beautifully built and bountifully endowed.
After the death of Ethelbert Anno 616. Eadbald, his ſon and the ſons of Sebert King of the Eaſt-Saxons, ſucceeding them, refuſed to be baptized, or imbrace the Chriſtian faith, profeſſed and ſet up Idolatry, expelled their Biſhops, driving them out of this land into France, til at laſt King Eadbald being converted to Chriſtianity by Laurentius Archbiſhop of Canterbury, preſently began to take care of the affaires of the Church, and at the deſire of Laurentius, Juſtus and Mellitus, returned again into England. Rocheſter readily received their Biſhop, but London refuſed to entertain good Mellitus, who led a private life in London, til that after the death of Laurentius, he ſucceeded him in the Church of Canterbury. Five years ſate Mellitus in Canterbury, after whoſe death Juſtus Biſhop of Rocheſter ſucceeded him, and had his Pall ſolemnly ſent him by Pope Boniface.
Ethelfred being ſlain by the Britains, Edwin ſucceedeth him, and was ſetled in the general government of the Saxons; who by the perſwaſion of Paulinus embraced and profeſsed the Chriſtian Religion, deſtroyed the Temples, Altars and Images of their Idol-Gods, and was, with all his Nobles and much people, baptized in the City of York, by Paulinus Anno 627.
About this time Pope Boniface V. directed diverſe Epiſtles to England, wherein were many paſſages fighting againſt Chriſt's ſatisfaction.
A few years after the converſion of the Eaſt Angles was advanced by King Sigebert, and after the death of Earpwald, his ſucceſſor in the Kingdome. Bede give's him this character, that he became vir Chriſtianiſſimus & Doctiſſimus, being aſſiſted by the preaching of Felix, a Monk of Burgundy, he converted his Subjects to Chriſtianity. This Felix was made the firſt Biſhop of Dunwich in Suffolk, a place formerly furniſhed with fifty and two Churches, and hath ſcarce two now remaining, the reſt being ſwallowed up by the Sea. This Sigebert is generally reputed the founder of the Univerſity of Cambridge.
Edwin fell out with Cadwallan, King of the Britains, and ſlew many thouſand Chriſtian Britains in battle, putting him and the reſt to flight. Anno 633. After the victory Edwin led his Army through the Provinc… of Britain, burning their Cities, and waſting their Colonies, and brought thoſe Provinces under his ſubjection, chaſing Cadwallan into Ireland. But Cadwallan returning from thence with ten thouſand men, aſſiſted by Penda King of Mercia, waſted the Countrey of King Edwin. Both theſe Kings at laſt met in a field called Heath-field, where Edwin was ſlaine, and his whole Army overthrown: Cadwallan ſlew both the Sons of King Edwin, and for a whole year …ſtroyed the Provinces of the Northumbrians. After the death of Edwin, his whole Kingdome …el apſed to Paganiſm; and Paulinus, Arch-Biſhop of York, taking with him Queen Ethelburga ſiſter to Eadbald King of Kent, returned into Kent, and there became Biſhop of Rocheſter.
After the death of King Edwin, his Kingdome of Northumberland was divided into two parts, both petty Kingdomes. Oſrich, Couſin-German of King Edwin, was King of Deira; and Eanfrith the eldeſt ſon of Ethelfred, was King of Bernicia. They were both Chriſtians, but became Apoſtates, and were ſlain by Cadwallan in the firſt year.
Oſwald, the ſecond ſon of Ethelfred, ſucceeded unto them, and overthrew Cadwallan. Biſhop Aidan converted Oſwald, Uſher's Religion of the antient Iriſh. p. 115.which King diſdained not to preach, and expound to his Subjects and Nobles in the Engliſh tongue, that which Aidan preached to the Saxons in the Scottiſh tongue. By the Miniſtry of Aidan (the firſt Biſhop of Linsfarn) was the Kingdome of Northumberland recovered from Paganiſm. Petry. Church hiſt. Cent. 7.Aidan parted all that was given him, by the King or Potent men, among the poor: and ceaſed not to go from town to town, and from houſe to houſe, not on hors-back, but on foot, always catechizing, whether he met with rich or poor: if they were Pagans, he inſtructed them; if they were Chriſtians he confirmed them in the faith; and exhorted unto the works of Pie…y and Charity, eſpecially to read the Scriptures diligently; he died Anno 651. From Northumberland the word of God was ſpread among many others of the Saxon Kingdomes.
The Scotch, that profeſſed no ſubjection to the Church of Rome, were they that ſent preachers to the converſion of theſe Countries,Ephr. Pagit. Religion of the antient Britains. and ordained Biſhops to govern them, as Aidan forementioned, Finan, and Colman: for the Eaſt Saxons Cedd, and for the Mercians Diuma: for the paucity of Prieſts (ſaith Beda) conſtrained one Biſhop to be appointed over two people. Finan converted the Kingdomes of the Eaſt Saxons, and Mercia. Pope Honorius ſent Birinus unto the Weſt-Saxons, who by his preaching converteth many, and among the reſt Kyngils, the Weſt-Saxon King, whom he Baptized. Oſwald, King of Northumberland was preſent at that time, and was firſt God-father, then father in law to King Kyngils, to whom he gave his Daughter to Wife.
Dorcheſter, an old City in Oxford-ſhire, was made the ſeate of Birinus his Biſhoprick. Suſſex, and the Iſle of Wight alſo were converted. About this time Honorius, Arch-Biſhop of Canterbury, divided England (ſo much thereof as was Chriſtian) into Pariſhes. Anno 64…. the firſt lent began in thoſe parts of England, which obeyed the Roman celebration of Eaſter.
Oſwald, King of Northumberland, fighting at Maſerfield (ſince Oſwastrey in Shrop-ſhire) againſt Penda the Pagan Prince of Mercia, Fabian. Chronic. part. 5.was overthrown, ſlain, and his Bodie moſt barbarouſly abuſed and chopped in pieces. Oſwy his younge… brother recovered his Kingdome after one year; and buried his head in the Church-yard of Lyndeſar.
Sigebert was perſwaded by his Monks to enter into a Cloiſter: his end was lamentable: for when he had given over his Kingdome to his Couſin Egrick, the forenamed Penda entred his Kingdome with an Army: his ſubjects forced him to go into the field, where both he and Egrick were ſlain. Others ſay, he was murdered by two Villains.
Penda, Prince of Mercia, having married Alfreda, Daughter of Oſwy, King of Northumberland, renounced Paganiſm, embraced Chriſtianity, and propogated it in his Dominions. Indeed, Penda his father, that perſecutor of piety, was yet alive (and ſurvived two years after) perſiſting an Heathen till death, but mollified to permit a toleration of Chriſtianity in his Subjects.
From Colmkil (as a moſt famous Seminary of learning) at that time, ſprang forth thoſe, who not onelyonly did reſiſt the beginnings of Anti-Chriſtian pride at home, and in our neighbour-Country, but they ſowed the ſeed of the Goſpel in other Nations. Such was that famous Rumold, who was called Mechlinenſis Apoſtolus. Pappas in hiſtor. converſ. Gent.Gallus brought Helvetia from Paganiſm, as Pappas witneſſeth, built ſundry Monaſteries there. Calumban, a man of excellent holineſs and learning, lived ſometime in Bangor, and thence went into Burgundy, where he began the Monaſterie Luxovien, and taught the Monks, of his own Country eſpecially, to live by the works of their own hands.Platina in Bonifacio quarto. Alſo becauſe he rebuked Theodorick for his leacherous life, he was forced to flie, and viſited ſundry parts of Germany: thence he went into Italy, and began another Abby on the Appennine Hills beſide Bobium in Tuſcany. Levin alſo tur nd many to the faith about Ghent and Eſca.
Furſeus, and his brother Fullan, with two Presbyters, Gobban and Dicul, obtained land from Sigebert King of Eſſex, and built the Abby of Cnobſherburg: and paſſing into France, he began the Abby at Latiniac, where he died. Diuma was ordained firſt Biſhop of Mercia, where he converted many to the Faith, in the reign of the Chriſtian Penda: and for his rare gifts the Biſhoprick of Middleſex was committed to his charge, unto whom ſucceeded Cella a Scot. Alſo Florentius went to Argentine, or Strausburg, and was the firſt Biſhop thereof: he opened the firſt School in Alſatia about the year 669. Kilian, the firſt Biſhop of Wortsburg, did firſt inſtruct the people of Eaſt-France, in the Chriſtian Faith. Anno. 668. Colonat a Prieſt, and Thomas a Deacon, followed him in all his Travels. Burcard ſucceeded, to whom King Pippin gave a Dukedome: and from thence among all the Biſhops of Germany, onelyonly the Biſhop of Wortsburg carieth a Sword and Prieſts Gown in his badge. Unto theſe Scots John Pappas joyneth ſome Britans, as Willibrod Reformer of Friſia; and two brethren Evaldi, the one Sirnamed the Black, the other the White. John Pappas ſaith they converted the Weſt-phalians to the Chriſtian Faith, and ſuffered Martyrdome near Bremen. John Bale ſheweth their Death.
Pope Agatho ſent John (the Arch-chaunter of St. Peters in Rome) into England, to compoſe the difference betwixt Honoricus and Wilfrid the two Archbiſhops, and withal to deliver them the Acts of Pope Martin the firſt, and to teach them to ſing the Liturgy according to the cuſtom of Rome — Benedictus Biſcopius, a Nobleman of England, went to Rome in the ſervice of the Church; and brought many Books into the Monaſteries of Tinmouth, and Wirmouth. The firſt Glaſs in this Iſland is ſaid to be his gift.
Mark what Beda ſaith of the cuſtom in thoſe dayes: Then they never came into a Church, but onelyonly for hearing the Word, and Prayer [no word of the Maſs] the King would come with five or ſix, and he ſtayed till the Prayer was ended. All the care of theſe Doctors was to ſerve God, not the World; to feed Souls, not their own Bodies: wherefore in thoſe dayes whereſoever a Clerk or Monk did come, he was received as a Servant of God: If he were ſeen journeying, they were glad to be ſigned with his Hand, or bleſſed with his Mouth, and they gave good heed unto the words of his Exhortation. And on the Lord's day they came in Flocks to the Church or Monaſteries, not to refreſh their Bodies [nor to hear Maſſes] but to hear the Word; and if any Prieſt entred into a Village, incontinently all the People would aſſemble, being deſirous to hear the Word of Life: for neither did the Prieſts go into Villages upon any other occaſion, except to Preach, or viſit the Sick, or to feed Souls. At that time the Clergy and Monks in England had liberty to Marry.
Then Theodorus, who ſucceeded Deus-dedit, Biſhop of Canterbury, brought many Books thither, erecting a well-furniſhed Library, and teaching his Clergy how to make uſe thereof. He rigorouſly preſſed Conformity to Rome, in the obſervation of Eaſter; and to that purpoſe a Council was called at Hartford; here Eaſter was ſetled according to the Romiſh Rite. In this Synod nine other Articles were concluded of, as Stapleton hath thus Tranſlated them out of Bede.Lib. 4. c. 5.
I. That no Biſhop ſhould have ought to do in another's Dioceſs, but be contented with the charge of the people committed unto him.
II. That no Biſhop ſhould any-wiſe trouble ſuch Monaſteries as were Conſecrated, and given to God, nor violently take from them ought was theirs.
III. That Monks ſhould not go from one Monaſtery to another, unleſs by the leave of their own Abbot; but ſhould continue in the obedience which they promiſed at the time of their converſion, and entrance into Religion.
IV. That none of the Clergy, forſaking his own Biſhop, ſhould run up and down where he liſts; nor when he came any whither, ſhould be received without Letters of Commendation from his Dioceſan, &c.
V. That ſuch Biſhops and Clerks as are ſtrangers, be content with ſuch Hoſpitality as is given them, and that it be lawful for none of them to execute any Office of a Prieſt, without the permiſſion of the Biſhop in whoſe Dioceſs they are known to be.
VI. It hath ſeemed good to us all, that a Synod and Convocation ſhould be Aſſembled once a year, on the firſt day of Auguſt, at the place called Clofeſhooh.
VII. That no Biſhop ſhould ambitiouſly prefer himſelf above another, but ſhould all acknowledge the time and order of their conſecration.
VIII. That the number of the Biſhops ſhould be encreaſed, the number of Chriſtian folk daily waxing greater.
IX. That no man commit Advoutry, nor Fornication; that no man forſake his own Wife, but for onelyonly Fornication, as the holy Goſpel teacheth. And if any Man put away his Wife, being lawfully married unto him, if he will be a right Chriſtian Man, let him be joyned to none other; but let him ſo continue, ſtill ſole, or elſe be reconciled again to his own Wife.
This Synod Stapleton calleth, the first of the Engliſh Nation, that is, whoſe Canons are completely extant.
Theodorus Archbiſhop of Canterbury envyed Wilfrid Biſhop of York, and endeavoured, that the Dioceſs of York might be divided; whereat Wilfrid being offended, goes to Rome, and in his paſſage thither, by a Tempeſt he is caſt on the Shoar of Freezland in Belgia, where the Inhabitants (as yet Pagans) were by his Preaching converted to Chriſtianity. Returning into England, he returned not unto York, but ſtayed in the Pagan Kingdom of the South Saxons, who alſo by God's bleſſing on his endeavours were perſwaded to embrace the Chriſtian Faith. Theſe South Saxons (of all the ſeven Kingdomes) were the laſt that were converted to Chriſt, and yet their Countrey was next in ſituation unto Kent, where the Goſpel was firſt planted. Indeed Edilwalck their King was a little before Chriſtened by the perſwaſion of Wolpher King of Mercia (who was his God-father, and at his Baptizing gave him for a gift the Iſle of Wight, & Provinciam Meanvarorum in Gente occidentalium Saxonum) but his Countrey ſtill remained in Paganiſm. And although Dicul a Scot, with ſix others, had a ſmall Monaſtery at Boſenham in Suſſex, yet they were more careful of their own ſafety, than of their Neighbours converſion. Wilfrid builded an Abbey in Selſey in Suſſex, he taught the South Saxons the craft of fiſhing.
Cedda the Biſhop of Weſt Saxons died, and his Deacon Wenfrede was his ſucceſſor: Soon after this time died Wina Biſhop of London, after whom was Biſhop Erkenwald, who founded the Monaſteries of Chertſey in Surrey, and Barking in Eſſex. But that of Chertſey was thrown down by the Danes, and re-edified by Edgar King of England.
Then Theodorus kept a Synod or Council of Biſhops at Hatfield, by authority of which Council he divided the Province of Mercia, that Sexwolphus then ruled alone, into five Biſhopricks; that is, one to Cheſter, the ſecond to Worceſter, the third to Lichfield, the fourth to Cedema in Lindſey, and the fifth to Dorcheſter.
Cadwallader, the laſt King of Wales, wearied out with Wars, Famine and Peſtilence, left his own Land, and with ſome ſmall treaſure fled to Alan, King of Little Britain: He was the laſt King of the ſtock of Britains. After he had reigned three years he went to Rome, and there died, and was buried in the Church of St. Peter, with this Epitaph upon his Tomb.
Culmen opus ſobolem pollentia regna triumphos,
Eximias proceros moenia caſtra lares,
Quae que patrum virtus, & quae congeſſerat ipſe,
Cadwald armipotens, linquit amore Dei.
The which verſes are thus Engliſhed by Fabian.
Fabian's Chr. part. 5.Abounding riches, kinred, triumph aſſured,
Plenteous wealth, with clothes richly dyght,
Houſes, Caſtles, and Towns ſtrongly mured,
And other honours which by his Parents Might,
And his own, this Martial vertuous Knight,
Cadwald the ſtrong, deſcended of Knight's blood
For Chriſt's love renounced all his good.
About the year 692. Ina King of the Weſt Saxons, ſet forth his Saxon Laws, tranſlated into Engliſh by Mr. Lambert; he enacted many Laws, viz. De regula vivendi Miniſtrorum Dei; de Infantibus baptizandis; de cenſu Eccleſiae, &c.
Anno 694. a great Council was held at Becanceld by Withred King of Kent, and Bertuald Archbiſhop of Britain, wherein many things were concluded in favour of the Church. Five Kentiſh Abbeſſes, namely Mildred, Ethelred, Aete, Wilnolde, and Hereſwide, were not onelyonly preſent, but ſubſcribed their names and croſſes to the Conſtitutions concluded therein. And we may obſerve, that their ſubſcriptions are placed, not onelyonly before and above all Presbyters, but alſo above Botred a Biſhop preſent in this Council. There was likewiſe a Council held at Berghamſteed by Withred King of Kent: Then Biſhop Wilfrid was removed to York again, where he continued not long, and being thence expelled again, he was for a time made Biſhop of Leiceſter.