Page:Elizabeth Elstob - An English-Saxon homily on the birth-day of St. Gregory.djvu/48

 practised great Austerities: And if he fell into any Inequalities of Temper; if he was two warm in his Expostulations, or strain'd his Privilege too far upon the Britains'', it ought to be charged upon the score of humane Infirmities, and cover'd with his greater Merit. This is certain, he ingaged in a glorious Undertaking, broke through Danger and Discouragement, and was bless'd with wonderful Success: He converted the Kingdom of Kent by the Strength of his own Conduct and Miracles; and that of the East Saxons by his Agent and Coadjutor Mellitus. The spreading of Christianity thus far among the Saxons was a great Step towards the Conversion of the rest. Let his Memory therefore be mention'd with Honour, and let us praise God Almighty, for making him so powerful an Instrument in the Happiness of this Island."''

The British Manuscript, were it of that Authority which is pretended, and of which Sir Henry Spelman, who best knew the Value of it, speaks with greater Modesty than those who have succeeded him, and who are for catching hold of any Twig, one wou'd think shou'd signifie little: and much less the Authority of Nicholas Trivett, who writ in Norman French, and consequently is to be reputed a modern Author, ought to be rely'd upon, against the common current of our English Historians.

As to the Independency of the British Church, from all that I have seen upon that Controversy, I