ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN. BOOK I. HISTORICAL VIEW OF THE RELIGION OF ENGLAND, FROM THE AGES OF PAGANISM TO THE CLOSE OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. CHAPTER I. RELIGION OF THE BRITISH, SAXON, AND DANISH PERIODS. IN every country the history of its Theological Faith is worthy of an attentive and primary examination, since it embraces so many particulars illustrative of the Laws and the Literature, the Warfare, the Manners, and even the Pastimes of its inhabitants. By an acquaintance with their Ecclesiastical Annals their characters are often best developed, their antiquities most successfully studied, and their national events most perfectly comprehended and elucidated. For these reasons, therefore, as well as from the intrinsic importance of the subject, such a narrative has the pre-eminence in all works devoted to historical illustration, and is placed the first of those contained in the following pages. The history of Religion in England appears to present four distinct features or periods, consisting of the Heathen ages of Britain, the establishment of Christianity, the reformation and settlement of its national Church, and the introduction of the Puritans and the various Sects of Dissenters: of which the first division is contained in the present chap ter. Section I. DRUIDISM.-1. General Character. Although it be certain that the most ancient Religions were destitute both of Temples and of Idols, consisting only of the worship of God in the purest simplicity of Nature, no history commemorates the time when they were unknown in Britain; which, even under the darkest shadow of Paganism, possessed an unhappy degree of eminence and antiquity. For when Julius Cæsar invaded this Island about 56 years before the Bith of Christ, he remarked, that the institution of Druidism was 66 supposed to come originally from Britain, whence it passed into Gaul; and even at this day," he continues, "such as are desirous of being perfect in it, travel thither for instruction. It is even presumed, however, that there were Druids remarkable for their learning and antiquity before the time of Pythagoras, who died about 497 years before the Christian era. Obscured by its traditionary descent, and defiled by almost countless corruptions, it is notwithstanding probable, that even this Faith had once purity in its principles, and the true God for its author; since it must have been first derived from Gomer, the eldest son of Japhet, and grandson of Noah, the great progenitor of the Gauls, Britons, and all the Celtic nations, together with their language, &c. : and it cannot be imagined, that he either did not know, or not communicate, the doctrines of a genuine Religion. These, remaining unwritten, were again taught by his descendants, losing at every remove something of their excellence, and being farther perverted by the idolatries of other nations, they were at length entirely lost in that cruel and blasphemous superstition, which has been regarded with horror by all succeeding ages. The Priests of the British Pagans were collectively called Druids, a name for which numerous derivations have been assigned, alluding to their office and worship. By some authors, it is deduced from the Teutonic, Druthiw, a servant of Truth; and by others from Dry, a Magician, or the Welsh, Dar Gwydd, a superior Priest. The most general etymology, however, is that which brings the word from Drus, the Greek name of an oak, since it made so prominent a feature in their religious ceremonies. During the ages of their authority, the rank of the Druids was of the highest order, their influence, on all subjects of the most considerable nature and extent, and on that of religion absolute and supreme. "No sacred rite, says Diodorus Siculus, was ever performed without a Druid; by them, as being the favourite of the gods, and depositories of their counsels, the people offered all their sacrifices, thanksgivings, and prayers, and were perfectly submissive and obedient to their commands. Nay, so great was the veneration in which they were held, that when two hostile armies, inflamed with warlike rage, with swords drawn and spears extended, were on the point of engaging in battle, at their intervention they sheathed their swords and became calm and peaceful." Their immunities, also, were as great as the barbarous manners of their time could bestow upon them, and consisted chiefly in never going to war, and in freedom from taxes and military service; which, however, are stated by Cæsar to have been considered such important encouragements, as to induce many of their own accord to become Druids, besides the multitudes sent by their friends and relations, and even princes were desirous of being admitted into their society. Another reason, too, for their increase, was a prevailing superstition, that the greater the number of Druids, the greater would be the harvests and the plenty of the country. 2. Various Orders of Druids.-The whole of this society was divided into different ranks distinguished by their habits, and subject to the ArchDruids, of whom there were two in Britain, residing in the Islands of Anglesey and Man. The priesthood passed by descent from father to son, and from the office of Sacristan, or keeper of the holy utensils, &c. they rose by interest to the more dignified. Out of their most eminent members the Arch-Druid was nominated, especially if any one were of remarkable reputation for learning or sanctity': though when there were several |