Page:Church history through all ages - from the first promise of a saviour to the year MDCCCXXX.djvu/69

CHURCH HISTORY. 53 theatres of action then in the world: but was likewise propagated as far northward as Scythia, as far southward as Ethiopia, as far eastward as Parthia, and as far westward as Spain and Britain."

It is generally allowed that Christianity was embraced by the Britons in the apostolic age: but the accounts which we have on this subject are extremely doubtful and different. It is probable, however, that the sacred treasure was brought here by some of the Roman merchants or colonists; or by the young men who, at that time, were sent to Rome for education. Some suppose that Paul visited Britain after his journey into Spain; being solicited by Claudia, (2 Tim. iv. 21,) who is thought to have been a British lady of distinction, if not a daughter of king Caractacus, and married to Pudens, a Roman senator. The most popular accounts state, that the captivity and degradation of the celebrated Caractacus and his family, were the appointed means, under Providence, of blessing the Britons with the glorious liberty and divine honours of the gospel. To withstand the Romans, Caractacus, a Welch chief, had been chosen, as the commander of the British army; but after a struggle of nine years, he was overcome; betrayed to the Roman general, and, with Bran his father, and his family, was carried captive to Rome, to grace the triumphal procession of the victor, Ostorius. Bran, and several of his family, it is said, became converts to the faith of Christ; and returning from Rome, after seven years' captivity, they brought with them several Christian preachers, to assist them in propagating the gospel among their ignorant and idolatrous fellow-countrymen in Wales and Britain. The names of three of their preachers were Hid, an Israelite, and Cyndav and Arwystli, who appear to have been Gentiles. They were successful in bringing many to the knowledge of Christ; on which account. Bran was called "one of the three blessed sovereigns of Britain." Cyllin, son of Caractacus, was called Saint Cyllin; and Elgin, his daughter, is recorded as the first British saint!

Frequently it has been asked, What must be regarded as the