And that it may the better appear, what a one this Augustine was, and what opinion the faithful people of this Realm had of him, I will rehearse a short story, that is written by Bede in that behalf. 1The Bishops of this Country, saith Bede, before they would go to the Council, where as Augustine should be President, first went unto a holy wise man, that lived an Anchors life, and desired his Counsel, whether that at Augustine's preaching, they should leave the traditions, that they had so long used, •r •o. He answered, If he be a man of God, follow him. But how shall we know, said they, whether he be a man of God, or no? He answered again, If he be gentle, •nd lowly of h•rte, it is likely enough that he carrieth the Yoke of the Lord, and offereth unto you to carry the same. But if he be disdainful, and proud, then it is certain, he is not of God: Neither ought you to regard what he saith. Then said the Bishops again: But how may we know whether he be disdainful, and proud or no? Provide ye, saith this holy man, that he may be in the Counsel sitting before you come. Then, if he arise up from his Chair at your coming, and salute you, Know ye, that he is the man of God, and therefore hearken to h•m. But if he disdain you, and will not once move his place, specially seeing you are the moe in number▪ then set you as little by him, and disdain him to. And as this holy man had told them, so did they. When they came into the Council House, Augustine sate still, and would not move. Whereupon they refused him, and would not hear him, as a man disdainful and proud of heart, and therefore no man of God. Upon which refusal, Ethelb•rtus the King raised his power, and slew great numbers of the Britons, and a thousand, and two hundred godly Religio•s men, even as they were at their prayers. Hitherto Bede. Wherefore, the authority of this Augustine's doings, must needs seem the less, yea although it were all true, that M. Harding reporteth of him. And further, I trust, it will be proved, that the things that M. Harding allegeth, stand without the compass of six hundred years: and therefore, not withstanding they were true, yet cannot greatly further his purpose. This Augustine upon his arrival into England, had a place allotted him in Kent.
And that it may the better appeare, what a one this Augustine was, and what opinion the faithful people of this Realme had of him, I wil rehearse a shorte storie, that is written by Beda in that behalfe. 1The Bishoppes of this Countrie, saithe Beda, before they woulde goe to the Councel, where as Augustine shoulde be President, f•rste went vnto a holy wise man, that liued an Anchors life, and des•red his Counsel, wheth•r that at Augustines preachinge, they shoulde leaue the traditions, that they had so longe vsed, •r •o. He answeared, If he be a man of God, followe him. But how shal we know, saide they, whether he be a man of God, or no? He answeared againe, If he be gentle, •nd lowly of h•rte, it is likely yenough that he carrieth the Yoke of the Lorde, and offreth vnto you to carrie the same. But if he be disdaineful, and proude, then it is certaine, he is not of God: Neither ought you to regarde what he saithe. Then saide the Bishoppes againe: But how may we knowe whether he be disdaineful, and proude or no? Prouide ye, saithe this holy man, that he may be in the Counsel sittinge before you come. Then, if he arise vp from his Chaire at your cominge, and salute you, Knowe ye, that he is the man of God, and therefore herken to h•m. But if he disdaine you, and wil not once moue his place, specially seeinge you are the moe in number▪ then set you as litle by him, and disdaine him to. And as this holy man had tolde them, so did they. When they came into the Councel House, Augustine sate stil, and woulde not moue. Whereupon they refused him, and woulde not heare him, as a man disdaineful and proude of harte, and therefore no man of God. Vpon whiche refusal, Ethelb•rtus the Kinge raised his power, and slewe great numbers of the Britaines, and a thousande, and two hundred godly Religio•s men, euen as they were at their praiers. Hitherto Beda. Wherefore, the authoritie of this Augustines dooinges, must néedes séeme the lesse, yea although it were al true, that M. Hardinge reporteth of him. And further, I trust, it wil be prooued, that the thinges that M. Hardinge allegeth, stande without the compasse of sixe hundred yéeres: and therefore, not withstandinge they were true, yet cannot greatly further his purpose. This Augustine vpon his arriual into England, had a place allotted him in Kent.
- 1•eda li. 2. C•. 2.
