FROM THE CONVERSION OF THE ENGLISH SAXONS TILL THE

NORMAN CONQUEST.

I.

3.

CHAPTER I.

AB ANNO 401 AD ANNUM 590.

1. The revolutions in the western nations in the fifth and sixth centuries.

2. The calling in of the Saxons by the Britons. The British church

infested with the Pelagian heresy. The method they took for the sup-

pression: the consequences thereof. 3. That heresy revived. St. German

and St. Lupus recalled to the aid of the British church. The success of

their labours. 4. The corruption and debauchery of the Britons: the

heavy punishment thereof. 5. The conquest of the Britons by the Saxons.

The division of Britain, and the names and bounds of the Saxon kingdoms.

6. The miseries the western churches suffered by the revolutions of the

fifth and sixth centuries. The case of Britain in particular. A remarkable

providence in the conversion of the Saxons. 7. The circumstances pre-

paratory to the conversion of the Saxons. 8. A way first opened to the

conversion of the Saxons by the marriage of Ethelbert king of Kent with

a Christian princess. The conversion of the Saxons pretended to by the

French: the grounds thereof. 9. The grounds of that pretence from the

directions of Gregory to Augustin, from his epistles to the French kings

and queen, and the desire the Saxons had to receive the Christian faith

before the coming of Augustin. 10. The time and opportunities the

Saxons had to be instructed in the Christian faith betwixt the marriage of

Ethelbert and the coming of Augustin. 11. The state of the British and

Scottish churches at the coming of Augustin. 12. The friendship betwixt

the Saxons and the Picts: the influence thereof in the conversion of the

Saxons.
Page 15.

CHAPTER II.

AB ANNO 590 AD ANNUM 601.

1. The time and reason of Gregory's sending Augustin. 2. Augustin

was frighted, and went back from France to Rome to beg Gregory's

excuse; returns with new letters of commendation to the French king and

bishops. 3. Augustin provides interpreters in France, and comes into

England. His reception and first successes. 4. Augustin enters Canter-

bury in procession, settles in Canterbury, and joins with the queen and

French bishop, and resorts to the chapel set apart for that princess. By

her influence and persuasion he brought over Ethelbert king of Kent to

the Christian faith, and by his example many of the people of Kent. His

success magnified by Gregory. 5. A difference amongst historians about

the time and circumstances of Augustin's success. He is transported

with it. 6. Augustin goes into France, and is consecrated bishop. A

dispute betwixt Bede and Baronius about the time of his consecration :

the ground of that dispute. 7. Augustin sends to Rome to give account

of his success, and desires further help. His questions, and the answers

of Gregory the authority that Gregory gave to Augustin over the British

church. 8. Mellitus and a new colony of monks sent to Augustin.

Gregory reflects on the vanity of Augustin. 9. Instructions of Gregory

relating to the pagan temples and their way of worship. The ill conse-

quences of this advice. 10. Gregory's advice to Serenus bishop of

Marseilles the same year: it occasions introducing images: the reason of

his advice the mischief thereof to the western church. II. The difference

betwixt the conversion of the first Christians and those of the northern

nations in the sixth and seventh centuries. The aversion of the Britons

to the worship introduced by Augustin: the grounds thereof. 12. A pall

sent to Augustin; and a model for the new Saxon church. 13. Gregory

gives Augustin power over the British church. Some reflections on the

conduct of Gregory. 14. The ground of Gregory's proceeding inquired

into the ill success thereof.....
32.

CHAPTER III.

AB ANNO 601 AD ANNUM 633.

1. Augustin attempts to oblige the Britons to own his authority, and

obtains a conference in order thereunto; is unsuccessful. 2. A second

conference with the Britons. 3. Terms of union offered to the Britons.

Augustin's undecent behaviour. The account the British writers give of

this conference. The authority of Augustin rejected by the British bishops:

the reasons thereof. The British church continues its independence on

the archbishops of Canterbury. 4. Pretences of the writers of the Romish

church to palliate the Britons' rejecting the authority of pope Gregory :

the truth thereof owned by Baronius. The conduct of the Britons justi-

fied by the canons and usages of the catholic church. 5. The massacre of

the British clergy: this ascribed to Augustin: the grounds of that charge.

Augustin said by some writers to go to York, and baptize some of the

northern English: the grounds of that and other mistakes concerning

Augustin. 6. Augustin consecrates three new bishops. The death of

Augustin: the difference about the time thereof. Part of the kingdom of

Kent only converted by him. The state of the church at his death.

7. Laurentius succeeds Augustin; follows his steps; attempts to bring

the Scots and Britons to own his authority; is unsuccessful. The Scottish

clergy refuse all conversation with the Romish missionaries. 8. The people

of Essex and Middlesex converted by Mellitus. His see fixed at London.

A cathedral church dedicated to St. Paul there built. Boniface bishop of

Rome obtains the title of universal bishop. The gospel makes no progress

in England. 9. Ethelbert dies, and paganism revives in Kent. Mellitus

driven from his see. The people of Essex and Middlesex cast off their

Christianity. The missionaries despair of preserving the new church, and

agree to leave England and return to Rome. The bishops of London and

Rochester fly to France. 10. Laurentius archbishop of Canterbury pre-

pares to leave England; is prevented by a pretended vision; converts the

new king of Kent, and brings back part of the people of that kingdom to

the Christian faith. The bishops of London and Rochester are recalled

from France. The people of London return to their idolatry; refuse to

receive their bishop. The sad state of the church at the death of Laurentius

archbishop of Canterbury. 11. Mellitus made archbishop of Canterbury.

Paulinus made a bishop, and sent to the court of the king of Northumber-

land: the occasion thereof. He baptizes the daughter of that prince.

12. Edwin king of the Northumbrians converted: the means and conse-

quences thereof. The people of York and a great part of the north follow

his example. An episcopal see founded at York: Paulinus made bishop

thereof. Honorius bishop of Rome sends him a pall, and pretended to make

him an archbishop. 13. The king of the East-Angles is converted; and with

him part of Norfolk and Suffolk. Some parts of Lincolnshire converted

by Paulinus. Honorius archbishop of Canterbury consecrated at Lincoln.

14. The people of the north return to idolatry. Paulinus their bishop

flies to Kent, and is made bishop of Rochester. 15. The people of Norfolk,

Suffolk, and Lincolnshire relapse to paganism.

CHAPTER IV.

AB ANNO 633 AD ANNUM 664.

49.

1. The gospel preached to the northern English by the Scots and

Picts the occasion thereof. Paulinus never recalled. 2. Aidan, a bishop

sent from Ireland, made bishop of the kingdom of Northumberland. No

regard had to the model of Gregory. The see of York removed to Lindis-

farne. Aidan and the clergy from Ireland imitate the plainness of the first

Christians, and despise the rites of the Romish church. They set up

schools in the north; and by their ministry the people north of Humber

are generally converted. 3. Birinus preaches the gospel to the West-

Saxons. The occasion of his coming into England. The bishopric of

Dorchester founded. 4. Norfolk and Suffolk recovered to the Christian

faith the occasion thereof. A bishop's see planted at Dummoc by

Sigibert. 5. The university of Cambridge said to be founded by Sigibert

king of the East-Angles: the grounds thereof. 6. The ill success of the

missionaries. Idolatry forbid in Kent by a law. The reason of the ill

success of the missionaries. The ill consequence of their allowing the

pagan English the use of some of their ancient customs. 7. Sigibert, king

of the East-Saxons, baptized by Finan a Scotchman. The people of Essex

and Middlesex converted by the Scottish clergy. A bishop's see again

restored to London; and Ceadda [Cedd] a Scotchman made bishop

thereof. The people of London, relapsed to idolatry, reclaimed again.

8. All the midland parts of England converted by the northern English

and Scottish clergy: the circumstances thereof. 9. The mighty success

they had the reasons thereof. Diuma a Scotchman made the first bishop

of Lichfield. 10. Sussex and Surrey continue in paganism. The churches of

the several kingdoms received the rites of those churches from whence

they had their conversions. Contentions that hence ensued. The power

the Saxon princes generally exercised in ecclesiastic matters. II. The

zeal of the Roman missionaries to bring the English from the rites of the

British and Scots to those of Rome: disputes occasioned hereby. 12. The

great consequences of this dispute to the missionaries and the bishops of

Rome. Reason of the stress put on this controversy. Conversion to the

rites of the Roman church, the only conversion the greatest part of Eng-

land owes to the bishops of Rome. 13. The arts by which the churches

which had received their conversion and rites from the Scots and Britons

were brought over to those of Rome....

CHAPTER V.

AB ANNO 664 AD ANNUM 673.

69.

1. A synod on the occasion of the controversy about Easter, &c. Argu-

ments on both sides. 2. The observances of Easter by the first ages: the

rise and ancient state of the controversy about it: the conduct and issue

thereof. 3. A second branch of controversy, ecclesiastic tonsure: some

reflections thereon. Conclusion of this synod in favour of the missionaries.

Colman quits his bishopric. Wilfrid chose bishop of the northern English;

goes to France to be consecrated, contrary to the appointment of Gregory.

4. During the absence of Wilfrid, the court of the king of Northumberland

is brought by the Quartodecimans to appoint Ceadda to be bishop in

Wilfrid's room: he not permitted to return: the charge against him.

5. Kings of Northumberland and Kent agree to unite the churches of the

Scottish and Romish establishment: the reasons thereof. By consent

they choose Wighart to be archbishop of Canterbury; send him to Rome

for consecration. Wighart dies at Rome. This gives occasion to the

bishop of Rome to choose and send Theodore in his stead. 6. Theodore

consecrated his character. Reason of union of the English churches.

Theodore the first metropolitan thereof. The reception of his authority

owing to the consent of the English princes, not to the power of the bishop

of Rome. Conduct of Theodore. 7. Wilfrid restored to his bishopric by

Theodore. Ceadda removed from York to Lichfield. Theodore erects

schools for Greek, Latin, and music. 8. A synod held at Hertford.

Theodore acts as metropolitan. Bishops who appeared. Canons of the

council. 9. Some reflections on this council. The state of the lower

clergy. 10. The present state of the archbishop of Canterbury. The

original of the metropolitical powers in England not owing to the authority

of the bishops of Rome.....

CHAPTER VI.

AB ANNO 673 AD ANNUM 680.

.94.

1. Terms on which the churches of the Scottish and Roman commu-

nions were united. Hardships on the English and Scottish clergy. Changes

of worship and discipline which ensued. Auricular confession, before

unknown to the English church, introduced. That rite not then esteemed

a sacrament. 2. The haughty and violent conduct of Theodore. The new

union resented by the English clergy. Winfrid bishop of Lichfield

deposed. 3. Beginning of Wilfrid's troubles the true ground thereof.

4. Some reflections on the hardships which fell on Wilfrid. The bishopric

of York divided. A third bishopric founded at Hagulstad. 5. Bishopric

of Sidnacester founded. 6. Wilfrid goes to Rome; finds a council assembled

to prepare instructions to be sent to the council of Constantinople.

7. Speculations of Petrus de Marca and Mr. Schelstrate from this journey

of Wilfrid. 8. Mr. Schelstrate's argument from hence, to prove the extent

of the Roman patriarchate, considered. 9. Wilfrid not the legate of the

English church, as Binius &c. pretend: the absurdity of that pretence.

10. Conjectures, on which the opinions of Binius and Baronius are founded,

groundless. 11. A probability that there was no such patriarchal council

as that where Wilfrid is said to be present. 12. Conjecture about the

occasion of the mistakes about that council: if such, Wilfrid not present

thereat. 13. A short account of Wilfrid's conduct at Rome. The occa-

sions of the confusions and mistakes about him. 14. Mistakes of Binius,

Baronius, Labbe, and Schelstrate about the bounds of the Roman patri-

archate showed from the history of the council of Constantinople.

15. Judgment of pope Agatho in favour of Wilfrid. Wilfrid sent to Eng-

land with it. Rejected by Theodore and the English bishops; and Wilfrid

sent to prison for insisting on it......
115.

CHAPTER VII.

AB ANNO 680 AD ANNUM 691.

1. Account of the rise and progress of the Monothelite heresy. Honorius

bishop of Rome guilty thereof. It occasions the convening the council at

Hatfield. 2. The state of learning and of the English bishoprics at the

INETT, VOL. I.

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