Many of the King's subjects followed his example, and great changes in the religious condition of his dominions are said to have been brought about. Heathen temples were turned into places of Christian worship, and pagan flamens and archflamens -the priests and high priests of Druidism-were superseded by bishops and archbishops. London, York, and Gloucester are affirmed to have been the three archiepiscopal seats. Lucius is reported to have founded St. Martin's Church at Canterbury; St. Peter's, Cornhill, London; and that of St. Mary de Lode in Gloucester; and also to have appropriated the possessions and property of idol temples to the use of Christian churches. If these things were so the zeal of the good King in some matters would seem to have been unrighteous and unwise. He had perfect right to embrace the gospel himself, but none to change the religion of his people, or set up the kingdom of Christ by law. How many rulers, though better taught than Lucius, have been guilty of like wrong and folly. While engaged in "these and other acts of his great piety," says Geoffrey, "the glorious King Lucius departed this life in the city of Gloucester, and was honorably buried in the cathedral church." The last scene in the memorial window is that of his burial, which is suppposed to have taken place in St. Mary de Lode Church. Robert of Gloucester thus speaks of this event :: "Lucie this gode Kyng that thus Christene bicom At Gloucester he was buried and hier had he non John Hardyng, the chronicler, also says: "At Caer Glou (i.e. Gloucester) buried after his dignitie, Rudder gives the 3rd of December, in the twelfth year of his government as the day of his funeral. Foxe, who gives 187 as the date of his conversion, says he died 201, after a reign of extraordinary length. The Gloucester monks are stated by Fuller to have erected a monument to his memory,* and to The discovery, some years ago, of a monument in St. Mary de Lode Church, which was supposed to be that of Lucius, has given rise to much discussion among antiquarians. It should be said that a church at Winchester also claims the honor of being the resting place of this King. have written a Latin epitaph, of which the following is a translation : Thou, Lucius, who didst worship idols in darkness, Art deservedly illustrious since thou hast submitted to baptism: Let us hope that Lucius knew the way of life better than his monkish eulogists. Taught by the Holy Spirit, he would humbly ascribe his salvation to the grace of God, and not proudly boast of having "justly deserved the cure of the Heavenly Physician." Saved and enlightened souls proclaim Christ's mercy, not their own merits; and testify of His sincleansing blood, rather than of the waters of baptism. Paul gratefully declares: "We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God's grace." And, in language which thousands of believers delight to adopt, Cowper sings: "There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Emanuel's veins ; And sinners plunged beneath that flood There is great cause to be thankful that we are not dependent upon Church legends for our knowledge of Christian truth. The accounts which ecclesiastical writers give of the doctrines and observances of some of the early Churches constitute no rule of faith or practice for us. Even in the days of the Apostles the leaven of error began to work, and after they had passed away it rapidly spread. Our enquiry, then, must not be as to what was believed or practised by the Church at Rome or the Christians of Britain, but what is taught and commanded by Christ and His inspired servants. Fables mingle with facts in the records of Church historians; and error mixes with truth in the writings of the Fathers; but in the pages of the Holy Scriptures we have the words of eternal life, "able to make us wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Therein the Spirit of truth bas given that which "is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Historical facts and human opinions may serve some important uses; but as authorities in matters of Christian faith and practice, let the traditions and commandments of men be eschewed, and the Word of Christ be received and obeyed as the only and all-sufficient rule. Well, too, may we rejoice that the Saviour whom this word reveals still lives-" JESUS CHRIST, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever." On that name in which Lucius, nearly seventeen hundred years ago, trusted for salvation, an honored prince in our own times built his hopes of eternal life. Solemnly renouncing all other grounds of hope, Albert looked to Christ alone; in life and death his language was: "In my hand no price I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling." Thus the Saviour invites every sin-burdened soul to come and be saved-"Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Wide as the reach of Satan's rage While grace is offer'd to the prince, GOOD AND GREAT MEN OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE. A Volume bearing this title, and consisting of Biographical Sketches of Gloucestershire Worthies, is now preparing for publication. It will be illustrated with a Map of the County and numerous Steel and Wood Engravings. The whole will comprise nearly 500 pages, on fine toned paper, and will be handsomely bound. Price to Subscribers, Five Shillings. Orders received by C. H. SAVORY, Printer and Publisher, Cirencester. FT did thy story, WHITTINGTON, beguile hearts: Marking the strangely changeful drama's parts; BODLEIAL 14 MAY 1973 LIBRARY |