Page:Elizabeth Elstob - An English-Saxon homily on the birth-day of St. Gregory.djvu/44

 what reason was there for Gregory'''s so severely complaining of the Neighbourhood? What need was there for his sending Missioners on so long and laborious an Expedition, and engaging the Interest of so many Princes, and Prelates in it, if the Britains were so zealous in the Matter, and had been so ready with their Assistance? But enough of their Zeal and Kindness has been seen before.''

But the Zealots, against St. Augustine'', carry the Matter so far, that they say he did not preach the Gospel at all: that the design of his coming was only to establish the Pope's Supremacy, with Superstitious and unnecessary Ceremonies. Than which, nothing can be more unfairly represented. Since the History makes mention of him, as preaching to the Saxons, and making Converts by his preaching, that he brought Presbyters out of the Neighbourhood, who were able to converse with the Natives, to be his Interpreters, and explain his preaching to them; that his preaching was not of Ceremonies, and superstitious Matters, but taught them the Belief of Jesus Christ. This is evident from Bede, and all the Historians. Nor was the Papal Supremacy, and Usurpation, as yet establish'd, nor so much as aimed at. But the Opposers of St. Augustine, being not content with these Reproaches, wou'd make him the Author and Abettor of the greatest Cruelty, and Bloodshed. And there seems to be as little ground for charging him with the Slaughter of the Monks of Bangor, as with any other of the Articles which are brought against him.''