Now, as for these reasons, it’s not likely _Stoneheng_ could be built in the times next before _Constantine_, so, by what follows, it will manifestly appear, it was not erected after his Reign. For, after his transplanting the seat of the Empire into the East, and the government of the then known world, under the _Romans_, distinguished by _East_ and _Western_ Emperours, a deluge of barbarous Nations (like so many Locusts) swarmed over all. Who, as with their vast multitudes they oft had formerly attempted it, so, thence forward, till bringing that mighty Empire unto its finall and fatall period; and thereby utterly destroying in like manner all _Arts_ and _Sciences_, together with _Architecture_, (not restored again, even in _Italy_ it self, untill, as formerly remembred) they never desisted. Moreover, in the times after _Constantine_, no _Temples_ to Heathen _Deities_ (such as I shall make appear this _Antiquity Stoneheng_ was) were erected here, they being times of defacing, rather then erecting idolatrous places. For, most of the succeeding Emperors becoming _Christians_, the tempestuous storms of perfection were over, and the thick clouds of superstition beginning to be dissolved by the bright beams of the Gospel, and true light of CHRIST, every where _Temples_ were shut up against false Gods, and set open to the true GOD. According to that of _Gildas_, _No sooner was the blustering tempest, and storm of persecution blown over, but the faithfull Christians, who in the time of trouble and danger had hidden themselves in woods, deserts, and secret caves, being come abroad in open sight, renovant Ecclesias ad solum usque destructas, basilicas sanctorum martyrum fundant, construunt, perficiunt &c. Churches ruinate to the very ground they reedifie, Temples of holy Martyrs they found, build, and finish &c._ So that, in stead of idolatrous _Temples_, built in the Ages preceding _Constantine_, during his reign and after, whilst the _Romans_ continued in any prosperous state here, by erecting _Christian Churches_, they began generally to neglect, and suffer fall to decay, rather then new build _Temples_ to their _Pagan_ Gods.
These pressing occurrences therefore, to wit, civill broyls amongst the _Romans_ themselves, frequent insurrections of the _Britans_, daily inrodes by the _Picts_ and _Scots_, together with the _downfall_ of _Paganism_, _decay_ of _Arts_, and fatall _ruine_ of the whole _Empire_, making the times both long before and after _Constantine_ incompatible for undertaking such works as this _Antiquity_, it may safely enough be concluded, if _Stoneheng_ not founded by _Agricola_, yet created it might be about fifteen hundred and fifty years ago, in the times somewhat after his government, _the_ Province _being formerly left by him in good and peaceable state_, the _Britans_ reduced from _Barbarity_ to order and civill conversation, and the _Romans_ flourishing in all manner of _Arts_ and _Sciences_.