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habobe Knjelcyn to ff j)ce- the Engljh^ as Gregory
bifceop fpa j-pahim Dpego- 'before had given liim di-
piufsep gepirrobe:- ffugu- region. Auguftine htin^
rrinur J>a jeha&ob cypbe confecrated , returned to
to hif bifceopj-tole 3 aj-en- his Bilhoprick , and feiit
be acpenbparan to Rome, -j p MelTengers to Rome^ to
much nearer this Ifland i But the Reafon, tho' he knew ic not, was
obvious enough. Arks was at that time the moft celebrated City in
thofe Parts, infomuch that it was called the Rome of France, Hence
probably the Archbifliop was honoured with the Title of Vicar of the
Holy See •, and had a Superiority over the neighbouring Birtiops, with
a Power to make enquiry, and give decifion in difficult points of
Faith, by the Gounfel of twelve other Prelates. Ic feems therefore
reafonable enough, that Augujlm fliould be direfted to Aries for the
greater Solemnity of the thing, and where the number of Bi (hops
might be probably found, or fooner got together, that was requifite
according ta the Canons, for his Confecration.
As we cannot but with the greateft Rejoicing and Gratitude refleft
upon our Converfion, fo have we reafon to blefs God, that this was
brought about in fuch a regular manner, that there was nothing
wanting to make us a true Church of Cbr'ifiy not only in Faith, but in
Difcipline. For no fooner did St. Augufiine perceive the Reception
of Chriftianity like to be eftablifh'd, and a number of Believers to
make a Church, but he takes care according to Gregorys appointment,
that they fhould be united under one Bifhop that fhould be over
them, who might, not only confirm fuch as already were baptized,
but ordain other Biftiops to affift in the Government of the Church,
which then began to be enlarged. That herein the Apoftolical Rule
might truly be obferved,by Augujlm from St. Gregory^ as it was by Titus
from SuPaul, of fetting in order the things that were wanting, and
ordaining Elders in every City. Herein likewife keeping ftriftly to
that Rule of St. Ignatius^ Ep. ad Smyrn, §. viii. That wherever the
Bilhop appears, there the Multitude ought to be, in like manner as
wherever Jefus Chr'ijl is, there is the Caiholick Church.
^ The Perfons who were imploy'd in this Affair were Laurentm
the Presbyter, who fucceeded Augujlme in the Archbiihoprick, and
Feter the Monk, the firft Abbot of the Monaftery of St Peter and
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St. Paul near Canterbury. See Bede's EccL Hijl. lib. i. caf. 2J. mi
iSt. Gregorfi Epiftle to Queen Berth^^
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