It is verily supposed that this Island was Peopled before the Flood . Jeffery of Monmouth affirmeth that this Island was Peopled by Brute with his Trojans , in the 2887 year of the World's Creation ; and after the universal Deluge 1231 years . And in the year of Elie's Priesthood . But several antient Historians writing before his time , make no mention of King Brute : and some have affirmed that there was never any such Man .

The Inhabitants were called Britains from the word Brith , which signifieth painting or staining of the Skin , which they had formerly in use amongst them .

Some Authors have affirmed that the English did proceed from Cimbria Chersonesus , which came from Italy ; but others assure us that they came from the antient Gauls in France .

But certain it is , that the first Inhabitants of this Island being merely barbarous , they never troubled themselves to transmit their Original to Posterity . And if they had writ any thing of their Original , yet the opinion of Guildas is , that it must needs have perished : our own Historiographers afford us nothing of the first affairs of our Island , all we can gather is from forein Writers .

The Druides were accounted among the first Inhabitants , for their only wise Men : in antient times the Britains used to die themselves blew with Woad , to make themselves seem more terrible to their Enemies ; and about their Wasts and Necks they used to wear chains of Iron , supposing them a brave Ornament ; on their middle Fingers they wore their Rings , and used no Garments that their painted Skins might be seen ; yet some of them , but very few , were clad in Leather :

The Pickts also a branch of the Brittish race , were so called of the Romans , from their painted Skins .

The antient Britains are reported by Plutarch to have lived long , as 120 years ; and those of Kent in former times were accounted for the most civil persons among them , their fortified Woods they called Towns ; their custom was to have ten or twelve Wives apiece , which were in common amongst Brothers and Parents ; yet the Issue was always reputed his , who first married the Mother when she was a Maid : their Diet was very spare : They would neither eat Hen , Hare , Goose , Fish , nor milk ; They manured their grounds with marl instead of dung , and their usual drink was made of Barly .

In their sacrifices they used Man's Flesh , and their Idols exceeded in number those of Egypt : Art-Magick was had in great esteem amongst them : but most of their controversies were determined by the Druides : These had no Primate or Chief amongst them : and Excommunication was amongst them of great force : Their Theologie was , that the Soul dieth not , but passeth from one to another ; And their Traffick or Merchandize was of very small use or profit to them ; For Cesar reports that the Ribs and Keels of their Ships , were of light wood , and covered over with Leather , and they did not eat during the time they sailed at Sea .

Their Coins at first were either of Brass , or Iron Rings , sized at a certain weight , which they used instead of Money ; but afterwards they stamped Silver and Gold , Julius Cesar was the first that stamped his own Image on the Roman Coin : but the Brittish Coin is easily known from other ; for they commonly imbossed their Coin outward and Shield like , whereon the Inscription or Face is seen ; and the Reverse hollow wherein the Device is placed : They used not to fight in great Companies , for they had ever fresh Men to come in to supply the vacancies of those that retired and were weary ; and their usual fightings was in Chariots , as the use was in the world's first Age ; but their chiefest Strength consisted in Foot men , who were very swift , whose Armor was Shields and short Spears ; in the nether end whereof was fastned a round Bell of Brass , with the sound whereof they were wont to affright their Enemies : And it was usual with them to Fight under the conduct of their Women , who were second Amazons .

Cesar ( the first Roman Discoverer of Britain ) when he first made Discovery thereof , thought verily that he had found another World : It is called the great Island by some , it was formerly called Samothea , from Samothes , sixth Son of Japheth , the first Inhabiter 252 years after the Flood : it was also called Albion ; some say , from Albion a Gyant the Son of Neptune , who conquered the Samotheans , and seated himself here about 335 years after the Flood ; but others say it was called Albion , ab Albis Rupibus , from the white Rocks , appearing on the South Coast next to France , and this is the more likely to Truth : But by the Grecians this Island was called Britain , but why so called , several Authors have given several Reasons ; some will have it from King Brute the Son of Silvius ; others will have it derived from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which doth signify Mettalls ; for the Grecians finding the Island full of Brass , Tin , Iron , Gold , Silver and Lead , gave name to it accordingly , and called it Pritania .

It was called England from a place in Denmark called Engloen . And this Name was not changed either by the Danish or Norman Conquerors . It hath the fifth place in all general Counsels , and retained the name of England 873 years : But since King James came to the English Crown , in the year 1602 : Scotland and England were both united under one Crown ; it is sometimes called Great Britain .

Britain hath been taken for the fortunate Island , as is reported by some Authors : And Pope Innocent was so in love with it , that he made suit to Henry the Third King of England , to come and see it , but could not prevail . It is observed that the nights in the furthest part North of Britain are so short in Summer , as the space between the days going and coming is not desernable . And Cesar did observe that France was colder than Britain . Such plenty of all kind of Grain abounds in it , That by Charles the Great , it was called the Granary or Store-house of the western World ; here the Romans used yearly to lade 800 Vessels bigger than Barges with Corn , for the Releif of their Armies elsewhere .

This Island is thought to have received the Christian Faith in or about the midst of Nero's Reign , in the year of Christ's Incarnation 63 : and that Joseph of Arimathea was one of the Disciples sent hither by Philip the Apostle out of France , and that this Joseph lyeth Buried at the Abby of Glastenbury , if we believe Guildas and Malmesbury , who have written so : It is thought that Saint Paul did Preach here in Brittain , and some affirin that Simon Zelotes was here in Britain : but these things being but conjectural , I shall conclude this Chapter , and proceed to the next .

XXIV . Heliogabilus ; This Emperour began his Reign Anno Domini 219 , and reigned about four years , he had no Wars with Britain , but he was a great Whoremaster , and incestuoussy lay with his own Mother .

XXV . Alexander Severus , he tollerated the Christians to live peaceably , had no War with Britain ; he was slain by the Almain Souldiers , having his eyes put out , after he had Regned about thirteen years and six Months and seven days .

XXVI . Maximinus ; This Emperour's Reign began Anno Domini 237. and continued three years ; he had no Wars with Britain : The sixth Persecution of the Church of Chirst began in his time .

XXVII . Julius Verus Maximus ; This Emperour was slain at the same time his Father was slain ; he was a beautiful person , and his Company much desired by the Ladies , whose suits he easily condescended to , he had peace with the Britains .

XXVIII . Gordianus , This Emperour's Reign was short , not exceeding forty days as some Authors affirm ; No War with Britain in his time .

XXIX . Claudius Puppienus , and Celius Balbinus ; These Emperours Reigned about a year : They began their Reign Anno Domini 239. And had no Wars with Britain .

XXX . Antonius Gordianus ; He had Peace with Britain : he began his Reign Anno Domini 240 , and reigned four years .

XXXI . Julius Philippus ; In his time there was no War with Britain ; he reigned five years ; and begun his Reign Anno Domini 245 , he was a Christian , and the first Emperour that received Baptism , as some Authors do affirm : in his time the famous Cyprian flourished .

XXXII . Decius ; The seventh Persecution of the Church began in this Emperour's time : he began his Reign Anno Domini 250 , and reigned about two years ; he had no war with Britain .

XXXIII . Trebonianus and Volusianus , These Emperours had Peace with Britain ; They begun their Reigns Anno Domini 252 : and reigned two years .

XXXIV . Aemelianus ; This Emperour Reigned but about three months : he began his Reign Anno Domini 254. he had no War with Britain .

XXXV . Valerianus ; His Reign was but short , lasting about a year , yet much Christian blood spilt in that time , for now begun the ninth Persecution of the Church , under him Lawrence and Cyprian suffered Martyrdom ; but Britain had Peace with him .

XXXVI . Galienus ; This Emperour Reigned fifteen years : he began his Reign Anno Domini 254. and had no War with Britain .

XXXVII . Flavius Claudius , he began his Reign Anno Domini 269. and reigned two years ; he had peace with Britain , and was a great Hater of the Christians , but had not time to put in Execution his intended Torments against them .

XXXVIII . Quintilius , This Emperour shortly after he had taken the Government upon him , opened his own Veins and so died : he had no War with Britain ; he began his Reign Anno Domini two hundred seventy one .

XXXIX . Aurelianus ; he began his Reign Anno Domini 271. and reigned five years , he had no War with Britain , but was a great Persecutor of the Christians .

XL. Tacitus , He had no War with Britain , Reigning about six Months only : he began his Reign Anno Domini two hundred seventy and six .

XLI . Florianus , He began his Reign Anno Domini 278 : and Reigned about three months : he had Peace with Britain .

XLII . Probus ; He was a lover of the Christians , and had no War with Britain , his Reign began Anno Domini 278. and he reigned about five years .

XLIII . Marcus Aurelius Carus ; The Britains in his time fell afresh into Rebellion , after they had been quiet above 80 years , and Carancius , being sent Deputy , he fell also in Rebellion with them , but after the Emperour's Death Carancius was slain by Alectus , the succeeding Deputy . This Emperour began his Reign Anno Domini 282 : and Reigned something more than a year .

XLIV . Dioclesian ; This Emperour sent Alectus to quiet the Britains , who then Rebelled under Carancius , and pursuing the Rebels with a continued hatred , he himself was at length slain in London , by Asclepiodotus Duke of Cornwal , and many thousand Romans with him ; and among the rest one Gallus who was Alectus's Companion , was slain in London , at a certain Brook , which was afterwards called by his Name , Gallbrook , or Walbrook ; but at long-run Asclepiodotus himself was slain by Coilus Duke of Colchester : This Emperour Dioclesian was a great Persecutor of the Christians : he began his Reign Anno Domini 284. and reigned about three years , and Maximinianus who was co-emperour with him about 4 years .

XLV . Constantius Clorus ; This Emperour coming into Britain to subdue the Calledonians , and Picts , under the command of Coilus , who had made himself King , at his coming found Coilus dead , he married his fair Daughter the Princess Helena , and begot on her Constantine , the Great : This Emperour was a favorer of the Christians , though his Predecessor Dioclesian had much oppressed them , for in his time was Albine the Protomartyr of England beheaded at Holmehurst , now St. Albans : and Aaron and Julius suffered at Leicester , and about a thousand Christians suffered at Litchfield ; This Constantius began his Reign Anno Domini 291 , and reigned about thirteen years ▪ he died at York .

XLVI . Constantius ▪ Galerius , Maximianus , Severus , Maxentius , Licinius , and Martinianus , for the space of eight years the Empire was Ruled by these Men , sometimes one , sometimes another , and sometimes all of them ruling , till at length they were all vanquished by Constantine the great ; in these Emperours times were very cruel Torments put in practise against the Christians ; Maxentius used to join the living bodies of the Christians with other dead Carcases , and being chained Mouth to Mouth , he caused them to be tumbled up and down : Some think this was the reason why St. Paul used that expression in his Epistle to the Romans , 7. 24. O wretched man that I am , who shall deliver me from this body of death ? In these Emperors times were some petty Wars with Britain ; These Emperours began their Rule Anno Domini three hundred and four , and Reigned about eight years .

XLVII . Constantinus Magnus , This Emperour was a Britain by Nation , his Father was Constantius Florus , and his Mother Hellena the Daughter of Coilus , he did associate with him in the Empire his Sons Crispus , Constantinus , Constantius , and Constance , each of them ruling in some part of the Empire : The Government continued under these Emperours from the year 312 , to the year 350. Some petty Wars they had with Britain ; some Authors affirm that this Constantine the Great , beginning to persecute the Christians , he was smitten with a Leprosie that the Physitians left him as incurable ; and being asleep one Night he saw a Vision , telling him that if he desired to recover his health , he should recall from Exile Silvester the Bishop , and all the Clergy ; which things he performed ; and being Converted and Baptized , he was immediately cured ; and increasing in Devotion , he built many Churches , and among the rest that of St. Peters in Rome , himself digging the Foundation , and carrying away twelve Baskets full of Earth , in honour of the twelve Apostles : he built also the City Constantin●ple , and made a Decree for celebrating the Lord's day instead of the Jewish Sabbath : in his time was the first famous general Council of Nice , against Arius the Heretick : This Emperour was wont to say , That Age appeared best in four things ; Old Wood best to burn ; Old Wine to Drink ; Old Friends to trust ; Old Authors to Read : also he said , There was but this difference between the Death of old Men and young Men , for old Men go to Death , and Death comes to young Men : he appointed Silvester the Bishop of Rome to wear a Crown of Gold , but he contented himself with a Phrygian Miter ; now a tripple Diadem , is thought scarce stately enough for his Successors : This Constantine is said to be the first Christian Emperor , as Lucius was the first Christian King : the honour of both whose Birth-rights England doth glory in .

XLVIII . Julius Apostata ; he began his Reign Anno Domini 356 : and reigned about seven years ; he had no War with Britain , he denied the Faith of Christ and turned Apostate ; and Writ a Book against Christianity : being wounded in the Wars with a poisoned Dart in his left Arm , he took a handful of his Blood , and throwing it into the Air , he blasphemously said , Vicisti Galilaee .

XLIX . Jovinianus , This Emperour had Peace with Britain , he began his Reign Anno Domini 363 : and Reigned about a year ; he became a Christian , was Baptized , and caused his whole Army to follow his Example ; his common speech was this , O that I might govern wise Men , and wise Men govern me .

L. Valentinianus ; In his time the Picts began to invade Britain , but were vanquished by Theodosius the Deputy ; This Emperour was highly esteemed of all the Christians ; being a great favourer of them , he forbad Idolatrous Sacrifices by Night , and restored to the Churches their former Priviledges , Liberties and Possessions which the other Emperours had sold : his usual saying was , That Gold was tried with the Touchstone , and Men with Gold .

LI. Gratianus and Vallens , This Vallens was Vncle to Gracianus and Ruled with him four years : beginning his Reign Anno Domini 365 : he at first recalled Nazianzen and Basill from Banishment , and was Baptized by Eudoxius , but turned Arrian afterwards , and persecuted the Orthodox Bishops of the East , as Eusebius , Pelagius , Gregorius , Nissenus , &c. he caused also 80 of the Christian Embassadors that were then in Constantinople , to be all sent to Sea in one ship , and then the ship to be set on Fire : But as the Emperor Vallens was very impious , so on the contrary Gratianus was very good , for he expelled out of Italy all sorts of Hereticks , and all the People being reduced to the Faith of JESVS CHRIST , he caused all the ruined Churches to be repaired : he began his Reign Anno Domini 367 : and reigned 6 years . These Emperours had no War with Britain .