arrive with his company at the place where the synod is to be held; and if at your approach he shall rise up to meet you, hear him submissively, being assured that he is the servant of Christ

but if he shall despise you, and not rise up to you, whereas you are more in number, let him also be despised by you." **

28

28

Now, one would naturally have been better pleased if this "holy and discreet man" had warned the seven bishops to oppose Augustine on the ground of his being a papist, and consequently, in this country, a schismatic. His remarks to them have too much the air of a simple doubt as to Augustine's authority to dictate to them upon matters of local discipline,

and perhaps also as to the certainty of his being a real papal envoy. At the same time, there was something very edifying in his advising them to stand on their dignity, and in his impressing upon them the duty of looking after Augustine's humility rather than their own. It is always well to mind other people's affairs, whatever we may do as to our own, and to interest ourselves in the wrong-doing of others rather than of ourselves.

It seems not unlikely that this gentleman, who was "wont to lead an eremitical life," was anxious to please the seven bishops and the monks, and to say what would gratify them, in which case he would obviously take special care to give them the soundest advice in his power, however dis

agreeable. The differences of ecclesiastical etiquette in different countries, the important question of precedence between an archbishop and ordinary bishops, and, above all, the dignity of a papal legate, were doubtless taken into consideration and carefully weighed by the discreet man before he ventured to give his advice, especially as, living in an out-of-theway place, he was likely to be very well informed on such subjects.

They did as he directed; and it happened that when they came, Augustine was seated on a chair, which they observing, were in a passion, and charging him with

pride, endeavored to contradict all he said."

29 "Be angry," says St. Paul. So the British bishops flew into a passion. There is a deep lesson in the last half dozen words of this passage! When conversing with those who disagree with us, let us never forget to contradict all they say, more especially if they are persons in higher authority than ourselves. This beautiful tradition of the early British Church has been faithfully preserved by the clergy of the Established Church down to this very day.

(Augustine) said to them, "You act in many particulars contrary to our custom, or rather the custom of the universal church

and yet, if you will comply with me in these three points, viz., to keep Easter at the due time; to administer baptism, by which we are again born of God, according to the custom of the holy Roman Apostolic Church; and jointly with us to preach the word of God to the English nation, we will readily tolerate all the other things you do, though contrary to our customs." They answered they would do none of those things, nor receive him as their archbishop. . . . To whom the man of God, Augustine, is said, in a threatening manner to have