History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume 5: The Reformation in EnglandMerle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
History
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century, Volume 5: The Reformation in England
Merle d'Aubigné, J. H. (Jean Henri)
Reformation
Augustine, appointed archbishop not only of the Saxons, but of the
free Britons, was settled by papal ordinance, first at London and
afterwards at Canterbury. Being at the head of a hierarchy composed of
twelve bishops, he soon attempted to bring all the Christians of
Britain under the Roman jurisdiction. At that time there existed at
Bangor,[46] in North Wales, a large Christian society, amounting to
nearly three thousand individuals, collected together to work with
their own hands,[47] to study, and to pray, and from whose bosom
numerous missionaries (Columbanus was among the number) had from time
to time gone forth. The president of this church was Dionoth, a
faithful teacher, ready to serve all men in charity, yet firmly
convinced that no one should have supremacy in the Lord's vineyard.
Although one of the most influential men in the British church, he was
somewhat timid and hesitating; he would yield to a certain point for
the love of peace; but would never flinch from his duty. He was
another apostle John, full of mildness, and yet condemning the
Diotrephes, _who love to have pre-eminence among the brethren_.
Augustine thus addressed him: "Acknowledge the authority of the Bishop
of Rome." These are the first words of the papacy to the ancient
Christians of Britain. "We desire to love all men," meekly replied the
venerable Briton; "and what we do for you, we will do for him also
whom you call the pope. But he is not entitled to call himself the
_father of fathers_, and the only submission we can render him is that
which we owe to every Christian."[48] This was not what Augustine
asked.
[46] Bann-cor, the choir on the steep hill. Carlisle. Top. Dict.
Wales.
[47] Ars unicuique dabatur, ut ex opero manuum quotidiano se posset in
victu necessario continere. (Preuves de l'hist de Bretagne, ii, 25.)
An art was given to each, that by the daily labour of their hands,
each might be able to supply himself with the necessities of life.
[48] Istam obedientiam nos multius parati dare et solvere ei et cuique
Christiano continuo Wilkins, Conc, M. Brit. i. 26.
[Sidenote: SECOND ROMISH AGGRESSION.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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