After this, when they had beene earnestlie and manie times told, that vnlesse they would be baptised, they might not be partakers of the sacred oblation:  at length in great displeasure they told him, that if he would not consent vnto them in so small a matter, there should be no place for him within the bounds of their dominion, and so he was constrained to depart.  Wherevpon he being expelled, resorted into Kent, there to take aduise with his fellow-bishops, Laurence and Iustus, what was to be doone in this so weightie a matter.  Who finallie resolued vpon this point, that it should be better for them to returne into their countrie, where with free minds they might serue almightie God, rather than to remaine amongest people that rebelled against the faith, without hope to doo good amongest them.  Wherefore Melitus and Iustus did depart first, and went ouer into France, minding there to abide till they might see what the end would be.  But shortlie after, those brethren the kings of Essex, which had expelled their bishop in maner aboue said, suffered woorthilie for their wicked dooings.  For going forth to battell against the Westsaxons, they were [Sidenote:  The sonne of king Sebert slaine.] ouerthrowen and slaine altogither with all their armie, by the two kings Kinigils and Quichelme.  But neuerthelesse, albeit the authors of the mischiefe were thus taken awaie, yet the people of that countrie would not be reduced againe from their diuelish woorshipping of false gods, being eftsoones fallen thereto in that season by the incouragement and perilous example of their rulers.  Wherefore the archbishop Laurence was in mind also to follow his fellowes Melitus and Iustus:  but when he minded to set forward, he was warned in a dreame, and cruellie scourged (as hath beene reported by the apostle saint Peter, who reprooued him) for that he would so vncharitablie forsake his flocke, & leaue it in danger without a shepherd to keepe the woolfe from the fold.

The archbishop imboldned by this vision, and also repenting him of his determination, came to king Eadbald, and shewed to him his stripes, and the maner of his dreame.  The king being herewith put in great feare, renounced his heathenish worshipping of idols, and was baptised, and as much as in him laie, from thenceforth succoured the congregation of the christians, and aduanced the church to his power.  He sent also into France, and called home the bishops Melitus and Iustus, so that Iustus was restored to his see of Rochester.

But the Eastsaxons would not receiue Melitus to his see at London, but continued in their wicked mawmetrie, in obeieng a bishop of their pagan law, whom they had erected for that purpose.  Neither was king Eadbald of that authoritie and power in those parties, as his father was before, whereby he might constreine them to receiue their lawfull bishop.  But suerlie the said king Eadbald with his people, after he was once conuerted againe, gaue himselfe wholie to obeie