Receives a commission from Gregory II.

Settles in Friesland.

Returns to Rome,

On the death of the Abbot of Nutrell, the fraternity would have elected Winfrid into the vacant seat, but the missionary, keeping his purposed destination in view, declined the proffered dignity. Having obtained recommendatory letters from the Bishop of Winchester, he went to Rome and presented himself to the Pope, expressing a desire of being employed in the conversion of Infidels. Gregory II. approved his undertaking, and gave him a commission of the most ample and unlimited nature.

With that commission, Winfrid passed into Bavaria and Thuringia; in the first Country, he reformed Churches which had been already planted, in the second he planted Churches where none had previously existed. But his stay in either of them was not long; he learned that the obstacles which opposed his labours in Friesland were removed, and thither he immediately hastened. Radbod, King of the Frisons, a patron of Idolatry, was dead. Winfrid, therefore, joined the venerable Willebrod, and these two missionaries cooperated in their labours.

Willebrod declining in strength, chose Winfrid for his successor ; but the latter refused the offer, since the Pope had commissioned him to preach the Gospel in the Eastern parts of Germany. Willebrod acquiesced in the resolution of Winfrid, and dismissed his coadjutor with a blessing. The younger missionary departed immediately, and went to Hesse; where his preaching was eminently successful, although he was occasionally obliged to support himself by the labour of his own hands, and was exposed to imminent peril from the rage of barbarous Infidels.

After some time he returned to Rome, was received with great kindness by Gregory II., consecrated Bishop of the newly founded German Churches, under the name of Boniface, (a Roman name seeming more likely to procure respect than one of English origin,) and took an oath of subjection to the Papal authority. Boniface, encouraged by the addition of fresh missionand lastly aries from England, returned with alacrity to the scene to Friesland. of his pastoral care. Passing through Hesse, he confirmed by imposition of hands several converts who had already been baptized, and exerted himself vigorously in suppressing idolatry. Charles Martel, whose dominions extended over Germany, distinguished the zealous Bishop by the protection of regal authority.. Boniface, however, retained a strong attachment for spondence his native Country, and his early friends. His intimacy with Daniel, with Daniel, Bishop of Winchester, was never interBishop of Winches rupted, and the epistolary correspondence of those two Prelates is highly interesting. From England, Boniface was constantly supplied with fellow-labourers, in whom he found consolation under the difficulties by which he was surrounded. His mission was obstructed by the scandalous lives of the Ecclesiastics under his government, and he was often involved in doubts how he should regulate his own conduct towards them. If he avoided all communication with them, he might

His corre

ter.

When Boniface was far advanced in life, he once more He visits visited Rome, and after some stay there, induced several Rome. of his Countrymen, who resided in that celebrated city, to join him in his German mission. Returning into 738. Bavaria by the desire of Duke Odilo, he established in that Country three new Bishoprics, Saltzburg, Frisinghen, and Ratisbon.

Friesland.

At last he fixed at Mentz, but his activity was Settles at not diminished, and his connection with England was Mentz. constantly preserved. He often wrote for books, especially for the Works of Bede, whom he styled "The lamp of the Church." He addressed a circular Letter to the Bishops and People of England, entreating their prayers for the success of his missions. Having laboured throughout a long life, he was resolved to labour even Quits his to its close. Quitting his archiepiscopal dignity, to Archbishop which he appointed Lullus an Englishman, he deter- ric. mined to end his life at the spot on which he had begun his missionary undertakings. He returned to Friesland Returns to by the Rhine; and there, with the assistance of Eoban, the second Bishop of Utrecht, he brought numerous Pagans to the profession of Christianity. He had appointed a day to confirm those whom he had previously baptized; and in expectation of their attendance, he had encamped with his followers on the banks of the Bordne, a river which was then the boundary between East and West Friesland. On the appointed day he Is murdered by beheld not the new converts whom he expected, but a troop of fierce Pagans armed with shields and lances. His servants prepared for resistance, but Boniface repressed their ardour, and prepared his companions, as himself was prepared, for martyrdom. The Pagans attacked them with fury, and slew the whole company, fifty-two in number, besides Boniface himself. The Christian Germans resented his death by an attack upon the murderers, and the memory of Boniface is still reverently preserved by the honourable appellation of the Apostle of the Germans.

the Paga

Boniface was not the only missionary who attempted to deliver the nations of Germany from the bondage of Pagan superstition; many others signalized their zeal in the same pious undertaking. Corbinian, a French Corbin Benedictine Monk, after having laboured with great diligence in planting the Gospel in Bavaria and other Countries, became Bishop of Freisingen. Firmin, a Firmin native of Gaul, preached the Gospel under various kinds of suffering and opposition, in Alsatia and Helvetia, The missionaries of this Century would fill a numerous

History. catalogue, but as they are of no great reputation, they may be passed over in silence.

Charle

is arms

But Idolatry experienced the attacks of a more formagne turns midable adversary than any Christian Priest, in the gainst the person of Charlemagne. At the conclusion of this CenPagans. tury, that Emperor turned his arms against the German Saxons, not only for the purpose of chastising their rebellious spirit, but of abolishing their idolatrous worship. He expected that their conversion to Christianity would soften their ferocity. This project, however wise in theory, was difficult in practice; his first attempt to convert the vanquished Saxons was defeated, for he made use of Bishops and Monks whose exhortations were vain. More forcible means were afterwards used, and that warlike people, allured by promises of favour, or awed by threats of punishment, suffered themselves to be baptized by missionaries expressly sent by the Emperor. Widekind and Albion, two of the most valiant among

the VIIth

the Saxon Chiefs, attempted to extirpate the profession Eccleof Christianity by the same violent methods throughsiastical which it had been planted; but the courage and wisdom Writers of of Charlemagne ultimately engaged those two warriors to and VIIIth make a public and solemn confession of their Christian Centuries. Faith, and to promise an adherence to it during the remainder of their days. Bishops were appointed, and Monasteries and Schools were founded, in order to preserve the knowledge and continue the propagation of Christianity.

Such is the general outline of the state of the Western Church in the VIIth and VIIIth Centuries. To enter minutely into the History of the Eastern Church, would involve a repetition of the Mohammedan and Byzantine Histories, or would anticipate the Biographical notices of Ecclesiastical Writers, and the narrative of the Controversies and Heresies, upon which we are about to enter separately.

VIIth CENTURY.

GREEK WRITERS.

SOPHRONIUS, DIED CIRCITER A. D. 637. ANTIOCHUS.

MAXIMUS, DIED A. D. 682.

LATIN WRITERS.

ISIDORE OF SEVILLE.

ALDHELM, died 709.

THEODORE.

JULIAN POMERIUS.

CRISCONIUS.

VIIIth CENTURY.

GREEK WRITERS.

GERMANUS.

COSMAS.

JOHANNES DAMASCENUS, DIED A. D. 750.

SYNCELLUS.

THEOPHANES.

LATIN WRITERS.

BEDE, DIED A. D. 735.

ALCUIN, DIED A. D. 804.

JOHANNES ERIGENA.
PAULINUS.

GENERAL REMARKS.

The VIIth Century is remarkably barren of Writers, and several circumstances contributed to the declension

of Learning. First, may be reckoned the irruption of the Saracens; secondly, the prevalence of the Monothelite Heresy; and thirdly, the increasing corruptions of the Romish Church. The VIIIth Century is of the same complexion, and we shall find few Writers distinguished either for erudition or genius.* The Eastern Church was distracted by the Image controversy, and among

The VIIth Century is styled Sæculum Monotheliticum; the VIIIth Century Sæculum Eiconoclasticum.

VOL. XI.

the Iconoduli destroyed or suppressed all writings which opposed their superstitions. From the catalogue of obscure authors, we will extract notices of the most remarkable,

SOPHRONIUS

was a native of Damascus, and having first applied himself to the study of Philosophy, became a Monk, and was finally raised to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. He was chiefly remarkable for the controversies which he carried on against the Monothelites. When Jerusalem was taken by the Khalif Omar, A. D. 637, Sophronius, by the terms of capitulation, was allowed the free exercise of his Religion, but he died shortly after that calamitous event.

Dupin, tom. i. p. 261. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 579.

ANTIOCHUS

was a Monk of Palestine, and belonged to the celebrated Monastery of St. Saba. He was of a very superstitious disposition, and composed a Pandect of the Holy Scriptures, or a Summary of Christian doctrine, contained in one hundred and thirty Homilies. This is his only Work extant, except a Life of St. Euphrosyne, a member of the Monastery of St. Saba.

Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 576.

ISYCHIUS, OR HESYCHIUS

was Bishop of Jerusalem. He wrote a Commentary on several Books of Scripture, and some Homilies which are still extant, besides an Ecclesiastical History which is lost.

Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 572.

MAXIMUS 580-662,

holds the first rank among the Greeks of the VIIth Century. He was born at Constantinople, and held a con

History. fidential situation in the Court of the Emperor Heraclius. When that Prince was seduced by the Monothelite Heresy, Maximus indignantly left the Court, and retired into a Monastery near Constantinople. His literary labours were almost entirely devoted to the Monothelite controversy, with the exception of some Illustrations of the Holy Scriptures. His style, on account of its involutions, is obscure, and moreover tumid. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 586.

His Works.

GERMANUS

was Bishop of Constantinople, and has obtained a notoriety for his violent zeal in favour of Image-worship. For his pertinacity in opposing the edicts of the Emperor Leo, he was removed from his Bishopric, but ended his life in retirement and peace.

Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 621.

COSMAS

acquired the appellation of Hagiopolites, on account of his proficiency in Polite Literature. Having been captured by the Saracens, he was carried to Damascus, and had the honour to be Preceptor of that consummate master of the Peripatetic Philosophy, whom we are next about to notice.

JOHANNES DAMASCENUS.

OB. 750.

This eminent writer, who was called Damascenus from the place of his birth, and Chrysorrhoas from his extraordinary eloquence, was also known by the appellation of Mansus, that being his patronymic.' His father held a station in the Saracenic Court, to which himself succeeded. Having with some difficulty obtained from the Khalif an embassy to Jerusalem, his Preceptor Cosmas was the companion of his journey. At Jerusalem he was advanced to the Order of Priesthood, and soon after he retired to the Monastery of St. Saba, where he passed the remainder of his days.

His writings are numerous, and illustrate the leading doctrines of Christianity, but he was tinctured with the superstition of his Age, and was a warm advocate for Image-worship.t His Works have been collected in two volumes folio; the best edition is that of Paris, 1712. Bayle, Dict. tom. ii. p. 950. Spanheim, Hist. Christ. sæc. viii. and Hist. Imag. Restit. sec. 2. num. 13. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 624.

SYNCELLUS AND THEOPHANES

were two writers on the Byzantine History. The Chronicon of Syncellus was in a great measure borrowed without acknowledgment from the Work of Eusebius. That of Theophanes in its style is rude, and in its matter replete with contradictions. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 641.

Tou Mavooug, Mansuris filius. Thus he is named in the Acts of the Nicene Council, in which he bore a distinguished part, and by Suidas. Spanheim, Hist. Christ. sæc. viii.

Baronius, a favourable witness, confesses of him, In multis ejus scriptis fidem vacillare, et compluribus ipsum scatere mendaciis. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 624.

was of English birth, and of Regal descent, but received his early education in France and Italy. Returning to his native Country, he embraced the Monastic life, and became Abbot of Malmsbury. Having passed more than thirty years in this seclusion, he was promoted to the Bishopric of Sherborn. In the Paschal controversy which so long divided the British and Saxon Churches, he sustained a distinguished part. According to Camden, he was the first Englishman who wrote in Latin, and according to the testimony of Bede,* his erudition was various. His book on the Paschal controversy is lost, but several Poems remain, Concerning the Christian Life, which exhibit no striking marks of genius.

Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 595. Collier, Eccl. Hist vol. i. p. 121.

THEODORE

was the seventh Archbishop of Canterbury. The Biogra phy of this Prelate may be seen under the History of the Anglo-Saxon Church. Besides his famous Penitentiale, there are extant of his writings, 1. Capitula Ecclesiastica, 120. 2. Epistola Theodori ad Ethelredum Merciorum Regem de amicitiâ inter se et Wilfridum Episcopum Eboracensem quam injustè deponi curaverat Theodorus redintegratâ. Apud Guil. Malmsbur. de Gest. Pontif. lib. iii. fol. 151. et Concil. tom. vi. p. 1383. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 592.

JULIAN POMERIUS

was a native of Toledo, and ultimately elevated to its Archbishopric. Such of his writings as are still extant, were chiefly in confutation of the Jews, and several of his tracts both in prose and verse are lost. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 596.

CRISCONIUS

FLOR. 690,

was an African Bishop, but of what city does not appear. He was the author of two books on Ecclesiastical Law, the one being an Abridgement and the other a Concordance of the Canons. He also wrote a Poem on the wars and victories of Patricius over the Saracens, which is lost.

Caro, Hiod. Lit. tom. 1. p. 600.

*Vir undecunque doctissimus; nam est sermone nitidus, et scripturarum tum liberalium quam ecclesiasticarum erat eruditione mirandus. Bede, Eccl. Hist. lib. v. c. 19.

The Venerable Bede, as he is universally and justly styled,* was born in the neighbourhood of Durham, in a village now called Farrow, near the mouth of the Tyne. Concerning his parents, Biography is silent, but it is probable that they were poor. It is however certain, that he was deprived of them in his infancy, and that he was placed by his kindred in the Monastery of Wearmouth. His youthful days were passed in that retirement, until he became capable of professing the discipline in which he had been educated: he was then removed to the neighbouring Monastery of Jerrow. In those two Religious Houses, situated scarcely five miles from each other, Bede passed and ended his days.

In the nineteenth year of his age, he was ordained a Deacon, and in his thirtieth year was admitted to the

Order of Priesthood. We are not informed who the instructors of Bede were, but some notion may be formed of the ability of the teachers in the Benedictine Monasteries from the noble Libraries with which they were furnished. So great was the progress of Bede both in sacred and profane Learning, that his fame had spread to the Continent, and Sergius I., at that time Roman Pontiff, invited him to the Metropolis of the Western Church, to assist in the settlement of some Ecclesiastical disputes, then warmly agitated; an offer which he declined.

The course of his life and studies is thus described by himself. "From the time of my receiving the Order of Priesthood to my fifty-ninth year, I have employed myself in briefly noting from the Works of the venerable Fathers, those things on the Holy Scriptures which are adapted to the necessities of me and mine, and in adding something to the form of their sense and interpretation." A Monastic life, above any other, must be barren of events, and the chief celebrity of Bede arose from his Lectures. His death is described in the following manner by his pupil Cuthbert. "He was attacked with a severe infirmity of frequent short breathing, yet without pain, about two weeks before Easter Day, and so he continued joyful, employed in returning daily, or rather hourly, thanks to God, till the day of Ascension. He gave lessons to us his disciples every day, and during the remainder of it was employed in singing Psalms. The nights he passed almost without sleep, yet rejoicing and giving thanks, unless when a little slumber intervened. When he waked, he resumed his accustomed devotions, and with expanded hands ceased not to utter thanksgivings. He recited the passage of St. Paul, ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God,' admonishing us to awake from the sleep of the mind. He sang the Antiphonæ according to our custom and his own, of which one is 'O King of glory, Lord of virtues, leave us not orphans, but send the promise of the Father, the Spirit of Truth, upon us. luiah.' When he came to the words 'Spirit of Truth,' he burst into tears, and wept much, and we wept with

Alle

་

Eccle

Writers of

the VIIth

him." After mentioning that Bede was even then occupied in translating St. John's Gospel into Saxon, his siastical pupil adds, "When he came to the third festival before the Ascension day, his breathing began to be very and VIIIth strongly affected, and his feet to swell. All that day Centuries. he dictated cheerfully, and sometimes said, ' Make haste, I know not how long I may contain. My Maker may call me away very soon.' He passed that whole night in watching and devotion, and in the morning commanded us to write diligently what we had begun. This being done, we walked till the third hour with the relics of the Saints, as the custom of the day required. One of us was with him who said, 'There is yet, beloved master, one chapter wanting, will it not be unpleasant to you to be asked any more questions? He answered, Not at all; take your pen, prepare it, and write with speed!' He did so. At the ninth hour, he said to me, 'I have some valuables in my little chest; but run quickly and bring the Presbyters of the Monastery to me, that I may distribute my small presents.' He addressed each, and exhorted them to attend to their Masses and Prayers. They wept when he told them that they would see him no more, but he said that it was time for him to return to the Being who had formed him out of nothing. He conversed in this manner cheerfully till the evening, when the boy said, Dear master, one sentence still is wanting.' 'Write it quickly,' exclaimed Bede. When it was finished, he said, 'Take my head in your hands, for I shall delight to sit opposite the holy place where I have been accustomed to pray, and where I can invoke my Father.' When he was placed on the pavement, he repeated the Gloria Patri, and expired in the effort."*

*Smith's Bede, p. 793.

Six folio volumes out of eight.

ALCUIN, OR ALBINUS

was a native of York or its neighbourhood, although some writers have fixed his birth in the vicinity of London.* He is said to have been one of the disciples of Bede. By Egbert, Archbishop of York, he was appointed Master of the School in that Archiepiscopal city. His reputation attracted crowds of students from Gaul and Germany to his Lectures, and recommended him to the notice of the Emperor Charlemagne. He accepted the invitation of that Prince to reside in his Court,† diffused a taste for Learning throughout all the Provinces of the Empire, and numbered the most distinguished Prelates and Statesmen among his scholars. When in his old age he retired from the splendour and intrigues of the Imperial Court, many followed him to his retreat at Tours, where he continued his favourite occupation of teaching till his death. His Works are numerous ;+ they consist principally of Poems, Elementary Introduc tions to the different Sciences, Treatises on a variety of Theological subjects, and Epistles to the most celebrated characters of his Age. His Commentary on the Book of Proverbs and the Epistles of St. Paul, a Treatise on Orthography, and on Music, are lost.

Hist. Lit. de la France, tom. iv. p. 295. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 637-639. Spanheim, Hist. Christ. sæc. viii. sec. 10.

JOHANNES ERIGENA

was another disciple of Bede, and distinguished for the acuteness of his intellect as well as for the extent of his Learning. He was by birth an Irishman, but was well skilled in Grecian Literature, for he translated from that Language a Work of Dionysius, and the Scholia of Maximus on Gregory Nazianzen. He dedicated the latter Work to Charlemagne, at whose command he had undertaken it. At the request of his Ecclesiastical superiors, he wrote against Godeschallus on Predestination, but his principal Work was a Treatise, De Divisione Naturæ, a Dialogue which is distinguished for its Aristotelian acuteness and extensive information. In a subsequent Age it was condemned, and Pope Hono

He himself says that he was born and educated at York. Malmsb. De Gest. Reg. p. 24.

He acquired great riches by the favour of Charlemagne. He was indeed reproached on that account, and he does not deny the fact, but affirms that wealth had not corrupted his mind. "It is one thing to possess the world; it is another to be possessed by it." Alb. Ep. p. 927 .

They were published by Du Chesne at Paris, in 1617

sias Writ

and

rius III. issued a Bull declaring that it "abounded with E worms of Heretical depravity." Excommunication was denounced against all who should retain in their posses- the sion a copy of so dangerous a Work.* Erigena enjoyed a great share of Royal favour. King Cent Charles the Bald, one day, when they were feasting opposite to each other, took occasion to give him a gentle rebuke for some irregularity by asking him, Quid distat inter Sotum et Scotum ?t The Philosopher replied with ready wit, Mensa tantum. The Emperor had the good sense and good nature to smile at the repartee.

After the death of Charles, Alfred invited Erigena to England, and rewarded his talents by settling him at Malmesbury. His life ended unfortunately, for it is said that he was stabbed by the boys whom he taught. This story is related also of Erigena, Abbot of Ethelingey, but the probable solution of the difficulty is, that Johannes Erigena had been removed from Malmesbury to Ethelingey. A difficulty less capable of explanation is, how one and the same Erigena could have been the disciple of Bede and the literary companion of Alfred, or a contemporary of Charles the Bald. These anachronisms cannot be settled.

Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. ii. p. 45. Turner, Hist. of the Anglo-Saxons, book ix. ch. vi.

PAULINUS,

an eminent Grammarian, was a native of Germany, and rewarded by the patronage of Charlemagne, who advanced him to the See of Aquileia, in which station he proved a formidable opponent of the Felicians. Besides a Treatise on the Trinity, and some controversial Books against the Felicians, he wrote some Sacred Poems.

Spanheim, Hist. Christ. sæc. viii. sec. 10. Cave, Hist. Lit. tom. i. p. 696. Art. Sanctor. tom. i.

OTHER WRITERS OF THE VIIth AND VIIIth CENTURIES.

Fredegarius the Historian claims the first place in the list of minor Writers. Boniface, the Apostle of Germany, of whom we have already spoken, wrote a Treatise entitled De unitate Fidei, which is lost, but his Epistles are still extant. Eginhard is known for his Life of Charlemagne. Charlemagne himself is placed in the catalogue of authors. The laws which are known by the title of Capitularia, a Tract concerning Images, with several Epistles, are attributed to him, though it is highly probable that they were the production of some of those illustrious characters whom he so munificently patronised.