The missionary bishops[33] of Britain accordingly set forth and traversed the Low Countries, Gaul, Switzerland, Germany, and even Italy.[34] The free church of the Scots and Britons did more for the conversion of central Europe than the half-enslaved church of the Romans. These missionaries were not haughty and insolent like the priests of Italy; but supported themselves by the work of their hands. Columbanus (whom we must not confound with Columba),[35] "feeling in his heart the burning of the fire which the Lord had kindled upon earth,"[36] quitted Bangor in 590 with twelve other missionaries, and carried the Gospel to the Burgundians, Franks, and Swiss. He continued to preach it amidst frequent persecutions, left his disciple Gall in Helvetia, and retired to Robbio, where he died, honouring Christian Rome, but placing the church of Jerusalem above it,[37]--exhorting it to beware of corruption, and declaring that the power would remain with it so long only as it retained the true doctrine (_recta ratio_). Thus was Britain faithful in planting the standard of Christ in the heart of Europe. We might almost imagine this unknown people to be a new Israel, and Icolmkill and Bangor to have inherited the virtues of Zion. [33] They were called _episcopi regionarii_ because they had no settled diocese. [34] Antiquo tempore, doctissimi solebant magistri de Hibernia Britanniam, Galliam, Italiam venire, et multos per ecclesias Christi fecisse profectus. (Alcuin, Epp. ccxxi.) In ancient times the most learned teachers were accustomed to come from Ireland to Britain, Gaul, and Italy, and to make numerous journeys among the churches of Christ. [35] Thierry, in his _Hist. de la Conquete de l'Angleterre_, makes Columba and Columbanus one personage. Columba preached the Gospel in Scotland about 560, and died in 597; Columbanus preached among the Burgundians in 600, and died in 615. [36] Ignitum igne Domini desiderium. Mabillon, Acta, p. 9. [37] Salva loci dominicæ resurrectionis _singulari prœrogativa_. (Columb. Vita, section 10.) Excepting by its peculiar prerogative the place of the Lord's resurrection. Yet they should have done more: they should have preached--not only to the continental heathens, to those in the north of Scotland and the distant Ireland, but also to the still pagan Saxons of England. It is true that they made several attempts; but while the Britons considered their conquerors as the enemies of God and man, and shuddered while they pronounced their name,[38] the Saxons refused to be converted by the voice of their slaves. By neglecting this field, the Britons left room for other workmen, and thus it was that England yielded to a foreign power, beneath whose heavy yoke it long groaned in vain. [38] Nefandi nominis Saxoni Deo hominibusque invisi. (Gildas, De excidio Britanniæ.) The execrable name of Saxon, hateful to God and men. CHAPTER II.