Nations, and we happen'd to come into this Ísland, which is call'd Britain, we reverenc'd both the Britons and Scots in great efteem of Sanctity be fore we knew them, believing that they had proceeded according to the Cuftom of the univerfal Church; but coming acquainted with the Britons, we thought the Scots had been better; but we have been inform'd by Bishop Dagan, coming into this aforefaid Island,and the Abbat Columban in France that the Scots no way differ from the Britons in their Behaviour; For Bebop Dagan coming to us, not only refus'd to eat with us, but even to take his Repaft in the fame House where we were enter

alfo by his Authoriry should confirm fuch things as fhould be regularly decreed, and at his return into Britain might carry the fame to the Churches of the English, to be prescrib'd and obferv'd; together with Letters which the fame Pope directed to the beloved of God, Archbishop Laurence, and to all the Clergy; as likewife to King Ethelbert and the English Nation. This is Boniface IV. after Blefied Gregory, Bishop of the City of Rome, who obtain'd of the Emperor Focas, that the, Temple by the Ancients call'd Pantheon, as reprefenting all the Gods, fhould be given to the Church of CHRIST. Wherein he, having turn'd out all the Filth, eftablifh'd a Church of the Holy Mother of God, and of all the Martyrs of CHRIST, to the end that a multitude of Devils being excluded, there might be a memorial of a multirude of Saints.

t

CHA P. V.

How, after the Death of the Kings Ethelbert and Seberht, their Succeffors refor'd Idolatry; for which reafon both Mellitus and Juftus departed out of Britain.

I

N the Year of our Lord's Incarnation 613, which is the 21st Year after Augustin and his Companions were fent to preach to the English Nation, Ethelbert King of Kent having

most gloriously govern'd his Temporal Kingdom 56 Years, enter'd into the eternal Joys of the Heavenly Kingdom. He was the third of the English Kings that had the Sovereignty of all the Southern Provinces that are divided from the Northern by the River Humber, and the Borders contiguous to the fame; but the first of all that afcended to the Heavenly Kingdom. The first that had the like Sovereignty was Elli, King of the South Saxons; the fecond Celin, King of the Weft Saxons, who, in their Language, is call'd Ceaulin; the third, as has been faid, Ethelbert, King of Kent; the fourth Redwald, King of the Eaft Angles, who whilst Ethelbert liv'd had been fubfervient to him. The fifth Edwin, King of the Nation of the Northumbrians, that is, of thofe who live on the North fide of the River Humber, who, with great Power, commanded all the Nations, as well of English as Britons that inhabit Britain, excepting only the People of Kent, and reduc'd under the Dominion of the English the Mevanian Islands of the Britons, lying between Ireland and Britain; the fixth Ofwald, he alfo, the most Christian King of the Northumbrians, had the fame extent under his Command; the feventh Ofwi, Brother to the former, held the fame Dominions for fome time, and for the most part fubdu'd and made Tributary the Nations of the Pits and Scots, which poffefs the Northern Parts of Britain: But of these hereafter.

tin's Porch within the Church of the Bleffed Apoftles, Peter and Paul, where alfo lies his Queen Berbta. Among other, Benefits, he took care to confer for the Advantage of his Nation, the alfo, by the Advice of wife Perfons, appointed them the Roman Laws to be judg'd by. The which being written in the English Tongue, are ftill kept and obferv'd by them. Among which, he in, the first Place fer down, what Satisfaction he fhould make who did fteal any thing belonging to the Church, or the Bishop, or the other Clergy, refolving to give Protection to those whom and whofe Doctrine he had embrac'd...

î

This Ethelbert was the Son of Irminric, whofe Father was Octa, and his Father Oeric, furnam'd Oife, from whom the Kings of Kens are wont to be call'd Qifcings His Father was Hengift, who being invited by Vortigerit, firft came into Britain, with his Son Oife, as has been faid above. But after the Death of Ethelbert, his Son Eadbald afcending the Throne, prov'd very prejudicial to the new planted Church. For he had not only refus'd to embrace the Faith of CHRIST, but was alfo defil'd with fuch a fort of Fornication, as the Apostle teftifies, was not heard of, event among the Gentils; for he kept his Father's Wife. By both which Crimes he gave occafiz on to thofe to return to their former Vomit, who under his Father, bad either for Favour, or through Fear of the King, fubmitted to the Laws of Faith and Chastity.. Nor did the perfidious King efcape without Heavenly Punishment and Correctioit; for he was troubled with frequent Fits of Madness, and

K

pof

r

poflefs d by an evil Spirit. This Storm of Confufion was increas'd by the Death of Sebethe, King of the Eaft-Saxons, who departing to the Heavenly Kingdom, left three Sons, ftill Pagans, to inherit his Temporal Crown. They immediately began to profefs Idolatry, which, during his Reign, they had feem'd a little to intermic, and to grant free Liberty to the People under their Government to ferve Idols. And when they faw the Bishop, celebrating Mafs in the Church, give the Eucharift to the People, they, puff'd up with barbarous Folly, were wont, as it is reported, to fay to him, Why do you not give us alfo that white Bread, which you used to give to our Father Saba, (for fo they used to call him,) and which you ftill continue to give to the People in the Church? To whom he answer'd, If you will be wash'd in that faving Laver, in which your Father was wash'd, you may alfo partake of the Holy Bread, of which he partook; but if you defpife the Laver of Life, you may not receive the Bread of Life. They reply'd, We will not enter into that Laver, because we do not know that we stand in need of it, and yet we will eat of that Bread. And being often carneftly admonish'd by him, that the fame could not be done, nor any one admitted to partake of the facred Oblarion without the holy cleanfing, at laft being enrag'd, they faid, If you will not comply with us in fo fmall a Matter as that is, which we require, you fhall not stay in our Province. And accordingly they expell'd and oblig'd him and his to depart their Kingdom. He being forc'd from thence, came into Kent, to advife with his Fellow Bifhops, Laurence and Juftus, what was to be done in that Cafe