Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright, Volume 1 · Book 1 · Persecution 10

Abridgment of the Book of Acts and Monuments by Timothy Bright · Volume 1 · Book 1 · Persecution 10

p. 43The tenth Perſecution.

THis Diocleſian flue Aper, who flue Numerianus, and in the firſt beginning of his raigne, choſe for his Colleague Maximianus Maximianus.ſurnamed Herculeus, father to Maxentius, which two alſo choſe two other to them, Galerius, and Conſtantius, whom they called Ceſars.Ceſars.

Diocleſian all the while he abſtained from perſecuting, obtained diuerſe victories, wherewith beyng puffed vp, he would néeds after a ſolemne triumph be woorſhipped as a God: ſaying he was brother to the ſunne, and moone,Diocleſian would be worſhipped as a God. Churches burned. Scriptures deſtroyed. and would néeds inioyn y^t people to kiſſe his féete: and in the 19. yere of his raigne hee mooued perſecution. In the monethmonth of March, when the feaſt of Eaſter was nigh at hande, hée commaunded all the Churches of the Chriſtians to bee deſtroied, and the ſcriptures to be burned, and put of from magiſtracie all ſuch as were Chriſtians, and conſtrained all with torments, to offer to Idols.

At the firſt comming of the cruel edicts into Nicomedia, after the Proclamation made was ſet vp, there ran a Chriſtian, a noble man borne, & openly rent, and tare it in pieces, notwithſtanding, two of the Emperors were then in the citie: for which act he was put to moſt bitter death.

Theſe Tyrants parted the execution of their crueltie among them. Diocleſian in the Eaſt, Maximianus in y^e weſt. Diocleſian began firſt in his owne Campe with the Chriſtian Souldiers: willing ſuch as would not agrée to him, to lay away their weapōs, and geue ouer their charges: which they did willingly.

At Tyre in Phenicia,Miracle. there were certaine Chriſtians (geuen to the beares, & moſt cruel wilde beaſtes) preſerued miraculouſly from hurt: although they were kept hungrie p. 44for the purpoſe, and raged againſt thoſe that brought the chriſtians, and thoſe they could catch they deuoured: but the Chriſtians were beheaded with the ſword, & after throwne into the ſea.

At that time was martyred the B. of Sidon. But Siluanus Siluanus.the biſhop of Gazenſis, with 39. other were ſlaine in the mettall mines of Phenicia.

Then alſo was Pamphilius Pamphilus.an elder of Caſarea, the glory of that congregation martyred, of whom Euſebius hath written in a ſeuerall booke.

In Syria all the teachers, biſhops, Elders, and Deacons were committed to pryſon, Tirannion Tyrannion,was made meat for the fiſhes of the ſea, and Arnobius Arnobius.a very good phiſition, was ſlaine with brickbats.

Some to auoyd ſacrificing to idols drowned, themſelues, as two maides in Antioch,Two maides of Antioch. of a worſhipful parentage.

Siluanus Siluanus.the Biſhop of Emiſſa, together with certaine others, was throwne to wilde beaſts.

In Meſopotamia the Chriſtians were hanged by the féete, and choaked with a ſmoake of ſmall fire, with diuers other torments. In Cappadocia the martyrs had their legs broken.

There were alſo martyrs in Tarſus of Cilicia, Tharatus, Tharatus.Probus, Probus.and Andronicus. Andronicus.But the martyrs of Pontus ſuffered moſt grieuous torments: and ſo outragious was the beginning of the perſecution in Nichodemia, & Bithinia, that he refrayned not from the ſlaughter of Emperors children, nor the chéefeſt Princes of his Court, whom not long before he had eſtéemed as his owne children, Among whom was Peter, of the houſehold,Peter of the Houſhold. who (after diuers cruell torments, as, whipping to the bones, and powdering with ſalt & vinager) was roſted with a ſoft fire: which Dorotheus Dorotheus.and Gorgonius Gorgonius.ſéeing, reprooued the Emperour, and confeſſed themſelues to be Chriſtians. Wherefore (notw^tſtanding they were in great authoritie vnderunder him) they were p. 45almoſt tormented as Peter was and after ſtrangled.

Afterward, Anthonius Anthonius.Biſhoppe of Nicomedia, and a great companie of Martirs with him, were beheaded. And ſo was Lucianus Lucianus.(the Elder of the Congregation at Antioch) after hee had made his Apologie before the Emperour.

Hermannus cauſed Serena the wife of Diocleſian, Serena, the wife of the emperor martiredto bée martired. There were alſo other Martirs in Nicomedia, as, Eulampia, Agapen, Irenea, Chronia, and Anaſtachia: who vnderunder Illyricus chiefe Officer, were burned.

Maximinus burned 2000. Two thouſand together in a Temple, burned.Chriſtians together in one Temple, men, women, and children.

In Arabia many Martirs were ſlaine with axes. In Phrygia there was a whole Citie of Chriſtians compaſſed, ſet on fire, and burned.A whole citie of Chriſtians burned.

In Melitina, a Region of Armenia, the Biſhops and Elders were caſt into priſon.

In Arabrate, a Region nigh Armenia, Euſtachius, that Countreyman borne, and Sheriffe vnderunder the Emperor at Lycia, in the Eaſt, hauing there done execution on the chriſtians, was conuerted, and confeſſed himſelfe a Chriſtian: & after diuers ſtrange tormentes, was carried to Sebaſtia, with the reſt of his companions, and there burned,

At that time alſo ſuffered Eugenius, Auxentius, Euſtachius.Marderius. And in no leſſe manner raged this perſecution in Egypt, where Peleus, and Nilus, Peleus and Nilus.Biſhops, were martyred. But eſpecially in Alexandria the rage was great, where Peter the Biſhop of Alexandria ſuffered, with the Elders of the ſame church, Fauſtus, Didius, Ammonius, Phildas, The B. with the Elders, martired. A legion of Chriſtians martired.Heſichius, Pachiminus, and Theodorus, beſide many other.

The whole legion of Chriſtian Souldiers, which (to the number of 6660. lay at Thebes in Egypt, vnderunder the Chriſtian Captaine Mauritius) refuſing to worſhippe Images, were tithed to death once, and then againe: and laſt, through y^e exhortation of Mauritius, Mauritius.died al together conſtant in faith p. 46Likewiſe at Anteno diuers Chriſtian Martirs ſuffered death together. Among whom were, Aſcla, Philemon, and Apollonius. And in other parts of Africa, and Mauritania, was great perſecution. Alſo in Samnium, & Scilia, where 79. 79. martired.were put to death.

Now in Europe, at Nicopolis in Thracia, the Martirs were miſerably handled by Lyſia. In Chalcedon ſuffered Euphenia, vnderunder Priſcus the Proconſul

Great perſecution in Italy.At Rome, Iohannes, and Criſpus, being Prieſtes had the execution of Martirs. At Bohemia, Agricola, & Vitalis: and at Aquileia, the Emperor commanded eueryevery man to kil the Chriſtians. Among thoſe, Felices, and Fortunatus are recorded. In other places alſo of Italie, the perſecutiō was great: as, at Florentia, Pergamus, Naples, Cāpania, Beneuentus, at Venuſa in Apulia, in Thuſſia, and at Verona.

In Fraunce. Rectorianus was a cruell perſecutor. At Mediolanum ſuffered Victor.Victor.

At Maſſilia, Maximianus ſetteth out his decrée, that all y^e refuſed to doe ſacrifice, ſhould with diuers tormentes be ſlaine. In Beluacus ſuffered Lucian.Lucian.

In Spayne likewiſe was great perſecution, as at Emerita, where ſuffered Eulalia, and Adula: where alſo ſuffered Vincentia, Sabina, and Chriſtiana.

18. martired.At Toletum ſuffered Leucadia the virgin. At Ceſarea, Auguſta: Where were put to death xviij. beſide a great nū ber of Martirs which ſuffered vnderunder Decianus the Gouernor, who afflicted with perſecutiō, all y^e coaſts of Spain. And the foreſaide Rectorianus made ſuch Perſecution at Treuers,Perſecution in Spaine. néere the riuer of Moſella, that the bloud of chriſtian men that were ſlaine,Riuers died with bloud of Chriſtians. ran like a litle brooke, and coloured many riuers. And round about all quarters he commā ded horſemen to ride, and charge the people to kill the Chriſtians, as they found them.

Moreouer, at Colonia was great perſecutiō, where Agrippina p. 47and Auguſta were martyred: as alſo in the prouince of Rhetia.In Britanny great perſetion. And in Brytannie all the Chriſtians were deſtroyed. The deaths that this tyrant vſed were diuerſe, and the torments ſo gréeuous as no tongue can vtter: as the hanging vp of them by one hand,Straunge torments. that they might féele the waight of the reſt of their bodies, the ſcorching and broylyng them with coales not vntounto death, but eueryevery day new: with which kind of death the martyrs of Antioch were afflicted, as more at large it appeareth by a letter of Phildas, to the congregation of Thunitans, where hée was Biſhop before hée receiued the ſentence of death, beyng yet in handes.

In Thebaid, Euſebius ſaith, that he himſelfe beheld the perſecution, which was ſo great,The perſecutors wearied with ſlaughter. that the very ſwords of the hangmen and perſecutors, being blunt with the great and often ſlaughter, they themſelues for wearineſſe ſate down to reſt them, and other were faine to take their places. But the martyrs nothing diſmayed, bare all with patience, for his ſake.

In this perſecution one Miletus gaue backe, and the Biſhoppe of Lycus a citie in litle Egypt,Reuolt. whom Peter the Biſhop of Alexandria did therfore excommunicate. So did Marcellinus Biſhop of Rome, being perſwaded thereto by Diocleſian, wherefore he was excommunicated, but afterward repented, and was alſo martired.

So cruel was the perſecution, that there were ſlaine of Martirs in xxx. dayes, xvij. thouſand,17000. ſlain in 30. dayes. 300. at Alexandria. 300. at Colen. beſides another great multitude that were condemned to the mettall mines, and Quarries. At Alexandria, with Peter their B. were ſlaine 300. with axes. Geriō was beheaded at Colonia, & Agrippina, with 300 of his felowes. Victor in the citie of Troye, now called Xanthus, with his felowes, 360. Reginus reciteth many other martirs, to the number of 120.

Mauritius came out of Syria into France, and Italy, being Captain of the bande of the Theban ſouldiers, in nūber p. 486660. Theban ſouldiers 6660.ſent for of Maximinianus to go againſt the rebellious Bangandes. Theſe Thebans were at Rome confirmed by Marcellus the biſhop in the faith. Now at Ottodon Maximinianus offered ſacrifice to the Diuels, and commaunded all his army ſo to doo, which Mauritius and his company refuſed, wherefore they were all tythed to death once: and perſiſting conſtantly, were tythed againe, and at the laſt by the commaundement of Maximinianus his whole army ſet vponupon them, and ſlue them all, making no reſiſtance. Victor at that time was not of that bande, but beyng diſmiſſed for his age, came ſuddenly to ſée what had béene doone, and finding them making mery and banketting, hauing knowne the cauſe, deteſted their fact. Whervpon, confeſſing alſo him ſelfe to be a Chriſtian, he was ſlaine.

This perſecution endured till the ſeuenth yéere of Conſtantinus, as Beda ſaith, but as Euſebius, till the tenth yere: which at the length ceaſſed from ſlaughter, the tyrants being out of hope to extinguiſh them: yet ſlew they many, and put out the eies of diuers, and condemned other to the mettall mines.

When Diocleſianus and Maximinianus had reigned together one and twentie, or two and twentie yéers, they gaue ouer their empire, and liued a priuate life, Diocleſian at Salona, the other at Mediolanum, Ann. 309. 309after Chriſt, ſo that the Emperiall dignitie remayned now with Conſtantius & Galerius Maximinus. Maximinus gouerning the eaſt, and Conſtantius the Weſt partes. But Conſtantius (contented only with the title) ſatiſfied himſelfe with Fraunce, Spaine, and Britanie. Wherefore, Galerius choſe to him his two ſonnes, Maximinus and Seuerus. Likewiſe, Conſtantius tooke Conſtantinus vnderunder him.

Conſtantinus.In the meane time, while Maximinus with his two Ceſars were in Aſia, the Romā ſouldiers ſet vp for their Emperor Maxentius, the ſonne of Maximinian, who had depoſed himſelf: againſt whom Seuerus being ſent by his father, p. 49was ſlaine of Maxentius: in whoſe place Maximinus tooke Licinius, and theſe Emperours proſecuted the perſecution ſeuen or eight yéeres, which was till the yéere 318. 318Sauing that Conſtantius and his ſon Conſtantinus rather fauoured the Chriſtians:Conſtantius trieth his court, who were Chriſtians. and minding to trie at a certaine time what good Chriſtians hée had in his court, fayned as though hée would doo ſacrifice to Diuels, and commaunded all his houſhold ſo to doo, to the end he might diſcerne the one from the other: which hauing doone, and finding a number to remaine conſtant, cheriſhed them and refuſed the backſliders, admitting the other to the chiefe places about him.

Maximinus in the Eaſt churches vſed great crueltie, and had executioners of the ſame, Pentius, Quintianus & Theotechnus, beſides other: but his rage was ſtayed by the hand of God, who ſent him ſuch a botch,Gods iudgement vponupon Maximinus. that it putrified and eate his entrailes, from whence ſwarmed an innumerable multitude of lyce: wherevpon he cauſed perſecution to ceaſe, and required the Chriſtians to pray for him, and publiſhed edicts of peace vntounto them throughout all his Empyre. Wherat one Maxentius was not pleaſed to hauehave ſuch edicts publiſhed, where he had to doo, in Aſia, & other prouinces. But Sabinus, who had among them the chief office, wrote the Emperours pleaſure to the ſubſtitutes of eueryevery country, whervpon grew a maruellous ſudden alteration in the Church. But ſcarſe ſuffered Maximinus the tyrant the ſame ſix moneths vnuiolated, but ſet out contrary edicts, & cauſed them to be engraued in braſſe, and hanged in eueryevery citie. So that perſecution roſe againe as great as before. At Emyſa in Phenicia they condemned thrée chriſtians, with whom Syluanus Syluanus.the biſhop, a very old man, being 40. yéeres in eccleſiaſticall function, was condemned to death. In Nicomedia Lucianus the Elder of Antioch, after he had giuen his Apologie to the Emperour, was put to death. In Amaſia a citie of Cappadocia, Bringes the lieftenant of Maximinus, had the executing of that perſecution.

p. 50At Alexandria, Petrus Petrus.a moſt worthy biſhop, was beheaded with many other Egyptian biſhops. Quirinus Quirinus.the Biſhop of Sceſcanius was throwne into the flood, hauing an handmill hanged about his necke, and drowned.

At Rome died Marcellus, Marcellus.and Timotheus Timotheus.the elder, with many other Biſhops and prieſts: and in many other places diuerſe were martyred, as Victorianus, Symphorianus, Caſtorius with his wife, Caſtulus, Ceſarius, Mennas, Nobilis, Dorotheus, Gorgamus, Petrus, and other innumerable martyrs more, Iuliana, Coſmus, Damanus, Baſilenus, with 7. other. Dorothea, Theophilus, Theodoſia, Vitalis, Agricola, Acha, Philemon, Hireneus, Ianuarius, Feſtus, Deſiderius, Gregorius, Spolitanus, Agapes, Chronia, Hirenea, Theodora, 270. martyred.and 270. other: Florianus, Primus, and Felicianus, Vitus, and Modeſtus, Creſcentia, Albinus, Rogatianus, Donatianus, Pancratius, Catharina, Margareta, Lucia, the virgin, and Antheus the king with 37000. martyrs,Antheus a king, with 37000. martyrs. Simplicius, Fauſtinus, Beatrix, Panthaleon, Gregorius, Iuſtus, Leocandia, Anthonia, with an infinite number more. Alſo Felix Victor with his parents, Lucia the widdow:79. martyrs. Germinianus with 79. others: Sabinus, Anaſtacia, Chriſogonus, Felix, and Audactus, Adrianus, Nathalia, Eugenia, Agnes of thirtéene yeares old. The kind of cruelties were ſtraunge, and the perſecution more gréeuous vnderunder Maximinus the tyrant, then vnderunder Maximinianus the Prince.

Now the Emperour in his edict, had declared what plentie they enioyed, what times their Idols were adored: but immediatly vponupon this renewing of perſecution, fell out moſt miſerable famine and peſtilence,Famine and peſtilence. in the which the chriſtians ſhewed their kindnes vntounto the Gentils, reléeuing to their power ſuch as they thought to ſtand in néed. Herevpon grew againe ſome peace.

Maximinian vnderſtanding that the Pretorian ſouldiers had choſen his ſonne Emperour at Rome, intended to take p. 51vntounto him againe his empire, and perſwaded Diocleſian ſo to do, but was repulſed, and prouided to fly to Conſtantinus in Frāce for aide; but indéed purpoſed to kil him: which was detected by Fauſta the daughter of Maximinian, whō Conſtantinus had married. So that taking no place, he retired, & in the way was apprehended, and put to death.

Certaine companions of Maxentius, ſolliciting a Chriſtian Gentlewoman of Rome, whoſe huſband firſt they had killed, to ſatiſfie the filthie deſire of the Emperour, rather then ſhe would ſo doe, killed her ſelfe.

In the beginning of his reigne, he fained himſelf a Chriſtian, to the end he might ſerue his wicked purpoſe, but afterward ſhewed himſelf both towards them, and in al other behauiour moſt abhominable, giuing himſelfe to magicke, and pollution of his body, with all kinde of cruelty againſt his owne citizens, and nobles.

He baniſhed a certain noblewoman of Rome, becauſe ſhe gaue her goods to the Church.

The people of Rome being wearied with y^e villany of Maxentius, The villany of Maxentius.required ayd of Conſtantin. who firſt admoniſhed him by letters, which nothing preuailing, he gathered an armie in Fraunce, and Britanny, to repreſſe the rage of the of the tyrant. To whō he approched: and fearing his charms wherewith hée had vanquiſhed Seuerus, ſent by Galerius, ſtoode in doubt: and whileſt he was in doubting, and caſting vp his eies manie times to heauen, on the South part, about the going downe of the ſunne, he ſaw a brightneſſe in heauen, appearing in the ſimilitude of a croſſe,A viſion of the croſſe. with certain ſtarres of equall bigneſſe, giuing this inſcription like latine letters, In hoc vince, that is, in this ouercome. Euſebius Pamphilus made report that he heard Conſtantinus himſelfe often report the ſame. Now he being aſtonied hereat, and conſulting vponupon the meaning thereof, in the night in his ſléepe, Chriſt appeared vntounto him with the ſigne of the ſame croſſe, which he had ſéene before, bidding him to make the figuratiō p. 52thereof, and to carrie it in his warres before him, and ſo ſhould he hauehave victorie. Wherevpon he marched towards Maxentius, (hauing done as the viſion commanded) who being conſtrained to iſſue out of the citie to méete him, commanded Pons Milonius to be beaten down, & a falſe bridge to be made, thinking thereby to take Conſtantinus. But hée himſelfe being not able to ſuſtaine Conſtantinus force,Maxentius drowned. The laſt perſecution ended. and retiring, in hope to get the Citie, was ouerthrowen of his horſe into the flood, and drowned, and ſo ended the laſt Perſecution.

The firſt attempt of Conſtantinus againſt Maxentius, was Ann. 318. 318So that thrée hundred yeres was the ful time of the perſecution from Chriſt. Conſtantinus for this victorie had his image ſet vp, holding in his right hand the ſigne of the croſſe, with this inſcription: with this wholeſom ſign, the true token of fortitude, I hauehave reſcued and deliuered our citie from the yoke of the tyraunt. After this, Conſtantinus with Lycinius, Liberty to the Chriſtians.gaue liberty by proclamation to Chriſtians, to profeſſe their religion.

Diocle. dieth.Diocleſian being at Salona, and hearing of the proceedings of Conſtantine, and this his edict, either for ſorow died, or as ſome ſay, poyſoned himſelfe. Now remained onelyonly Maximinus in the Weſt, who although he raged againſt the Chriſtians, yet was hee appaled at the edict before mentioned, and cauſed Sabinus to publiſh a certaine releaſement to Chriſtians, and yet wrote another countermaund: howbeit ſhortly after, he making warres, and fighting with Lycinius, loſt the victory. Wherevppon, he cauſed his charmers to be killed,Maxim. glorifieth the God of the Chriſtians. that perſwaded him to the warres: and ſhortly after, being oppreſſed with a certaine kind of diſeaſe, glorified the God of the Chriſtians, and made a moſt abſolute law for their ſafety. This was Ann. 319.

Now yet remained Licinius, who was alſo a perſecutor: notwithſtāding, at y^e firſt he diſſembled the matter, and ioyned with Conſtantine. He was a man euerie way vitions: p. 53he named Learning the poyſon of the common Wealth,Learning named by Licinius the poyſon of the common weale. Licinius a great perſecutor. and counted learning in a prince to be a great vice. The knowledge of the lawes he did moſt abhorre: For he himſelf was vnlearned.

He became a Perſecutor, pretending againſt the Chriſtians, that they prayed for Conſtantinus onelyonly, and not for him. Firſt, he began to perſecute in his court: then he ſtretched vntounto his prouinces, with as great crueltie as any that went before him: and hated Conſtantine, who gaue him his ſiſter Conſtantia to wife,Churches raced to y^e groūd. and had beſtowed many benefites vponupon him. About Amaſia, and other Cities of Pontus, he raſed the churches euen to the ground.

Among thoſe that ſuffered, Nicephorus firſt ſpeaketh of Theodorus: Theodorus.who (being hanged vponupon a croſſe,) had nayles thruſt into his armepits, and after that, his head ſtriken of. Alſo, of one Theodorus B. of Tyre, & a man of Pergamus. Likewiſe, Baſilius Baſilius.B. of Amaſenus, Nicholaus, Nicholaus.B. of Mirocus, Gregorius, of Armenia the great. After that, Paul Paul.of Neoceſarea, who by Licinius him ſelfe, had both his hāds cut off with a ſearing Iron.

Beſides theſe aforeſaid, were in the citie of Sebaſtia, xl. Chriſtian Souldiers,Fourty chriſtian ſouldiers. in the vehement colde time of winter, drowned in a horſeponde: when Lycias as yet, & Agricolaus executing the ſherifes office vnderunder Licinius, were in the eaſt part, of great reputation,Inuenters of torments. for inuenting of new and ſtrange torments againſt the Chriſtians. The wiues of thoſe 40. were caried to Heraclea, a citie in Thracia, and there with a certaine deacon, whoſe name was Ammones, were (after innumerable torments) ſlaine with the ſword.

Diuers battels were fought betwéene Licinius & Conſtātinus. Firſt in Hungarie,Licinius vanquiſhed. where Licinius was ouerthrowen. Then againe in Macedonia, whither he fled, and repayred his armie. And finally, being vanquiſhed both by ſea and lande, at Nicomedia he yelded himſelfe to Conſtantine, and was commanded to liue a priuate life in Theſſalia, p. 54where he was ſlaine by the ſouldiers. He was killed an. 324. 324Licinius ſlaineConſtantius, the father of Conſtantine, being a good and godly Emperor, died, the iij. yere of the perſecution, an. 310. and was buried at Yorke.

Conſtantius dieth & is buried at Yorke Alban the firſt martir in England.Now, among an infinite number of ſpeciall men of name that ſuffered, were theſe that follow in this 10, perſecution, At what time Diocleſian and Maximinian, had directed out their Letters for the perſecuting of Chriſtians, Alban (the firſt that ſuffered martirdome in England for Chriſt) receiued into his houſe a perſecuted Clarke, named Amphibalus, Amphibalus.by whoſe continuall praying day and night, and godly life, he became a Chriſtian. It was infourmed the Prince, that he lodged the Clarke. Whereupon, (ſearch being made by the Princes commandement) Alban, by and by putting on the apparell of the Clark, his maſter offered himſelf in ſtead of the other, to the ſouldiers, who brought him to the Iudge, that was euen then ſacrificing vntounto deuils at the Altar. Which Alban refuſing to doe, at the commandement of the Iudge, after he had béene gréeuouſly ſcourged, was beheaded. The Clarke flying into Wales, was fet alſo againe to the ſame Towne of Verlancaſter, where he was martired, hauing his bellie opened, and made to runne about a ſtake, while all his bowels were drawen out, then thruſt in with ſwords and daggers, and at laſt ſtoned to death.

With Alban ſuffered Aaron, & Iulius, Aaron, and Iulius.ij. citizens of Verlā caſter, beſide a great nūber mo. Albans martirdome might ſéem to be about the ij. or iij. yere of the x. perſecutiō, vnderunder y^e tirāny of Diocleſiā and Maximinianus, Herculeus thē bearing rule in England, about an. 301. 301before Conſtantinus came to his gouernmēt.England only touched with y^e tenth perſecution. It is to be noted y^t Englād was not touched w^t any of the ix. perſecutions, but only w^t this tenth, in which almoſt al chriſtianitie was in y^e Ilād extinguiſhed.

Pitiles Galerius, w^t his grand captain Aſclepiades, inuaded Antioch, threatning y^e chriſtiās: whom one Romanus, a noble man, confirmed, & encouraged to be conſtāt. Wherfore p. 55he ſuffered many ſtrange torments w^t great conſtancy: and reaſoning w^t the tirant of the truth, required a child to be preſented vntounto him: which was doone, of whō he aſked, whether it were more reaſonable to worſhip one God, rather thē innumerable, conſidering God could be but one. To whom the child anſwered before the tyrant, according as his Chriſtian parents had inſtructed him, y^t one god was to be worſhipped.A child tormented.

Wherefore the child was grieuouſly ſcourged, & the ſkin of his head pulled of hayre and all, the mother ſtanding by, & exhorting the child to patience and conſtancie; he was put to death with Romanus, the child was beheaded,A myracle. and Romanus caſt into y^e fire. Which whē it would not burne him, he was brought from the ſame, and ſtrangled in priſon.

Gordius Gordius.was a citizen of Ceſaria, a Centurion, who gaue ouer his charge, & liued in the deſert a long time: but vponupon a certaine day when a ſolemne feaſt of Mars was celebrated with games, in the Theator of Ceſaria, he came thether, & gat vp to the higheſt place of the Theator: and vttered himſelfe a Chriſtian in the hearing of all the people: whereupon after he had endured many & gréeuous torments, the ſhiriffe aſſayed by flattery: which when it would not preuayle, hée cauſed him to be had out of the Citie to be burned, which was accompliſhed, and ſuffered of him with patience. Likewiſe ſuffered Menas an Egyptian ſouldier after that in like ſort with Gordius, hée had declared himſelfe to be a Chriſtian in the citie of Cotis, where after diuerſe torments, by the commaundement of Pirrhus the Preſident, he ſuffered the loſſe of his head.

Baſilius mentioneth of 40. martyrs40 martyrs. in a Sermon, which were gentlemen, & yoong all, that profeſſed themſelues chriſtians, and went boldly vntounto the Marſhall, & declared vntounto him their names: wherat he was firſt aſtonied, & not preuailing with flattering words & faire promiſes: deuiſed a new torment, and cauſed them to ſtand all night (in the winter) in a great pond which was in the midſt of the citie, and lay p. 56full vponupon the cold Northwind. In the morning they were found ſtarke and ſtiffe, yet hauing breath, were brought to the fire to be burned. Now one of them more liuely then the reſt was pitied of the tormentors, who ſaid to his mother ſtanding by, that they would ſaue him aliue: but ſhée with her owne handes brought him to the pile of wood where the reſt lay,A notable mother. admoniſhing him to accompliſh the bleſſed iourney he had taken in hand?

The like ſtory reporteth Nicephorus of fortie martyrsFortie martyrs. that were maried men, which were killed in a ponde at Sebeſtia a towne of Armenia.

In this perſecution ſuffered alſo Cyrus Cyrus.a Phyſition, borne in Alexandria, who flying into Egipt in the perſecution of Diocleſianus and Maximinianus, led a ſolitary life in Arabia: vntounto him reſorted one Ioannes Ioannes.borne in the citie of Edeſſa beyond Euphrates, leauing his ſouldiers life which before time he had exerciſed. Now theſe twaine hearing of the inpriſonment of Athanaſia with her thrée daughters, Theoctiſte, Theodota and Eudoxa, at the perſecution of Canope a citie in Egipt, came to confirme them: at which time Sirianus was the chiefe Captaine and Lieftenant of Egipt (who was very cruell eſpecially againſt women and maydens) whereof they being accuſed and in no ſort yéelding to doo ſacrifice, were put to death by the ſword, with Athanaſia and her thrée daughters.Athanaſia and her three daughters.

Sebaſtian Sebaſtian.beyng borne in that part of France which is called Gallia Narbonenſis, was Lieftenant generall of the vauward of Diocleſian the Emperour, and encouraged many martyrs of Chriſt by his exhortations: whereof beyng accuſed to the Emperour, was commaunded to bée brought into y^e opē field, where of his owne ſouldiers he was ſhot through with innumerable arrowes, and after his body was throwne into a Iakes. With him ſuffered others, as Nicoſtratus with Zoe his wife, Tranquillinus with Martia his wife, Traglianus, Claudius, Caſtor, Tiburtius, Caſtullus, p. 57Marcus and Marcellinus, with other moe.

Barlan Barlan.a noble man, mentioned in a ſermon of Baſilius, hauing abode all torments, was laid vponupon the altar, where they vſed to offer vp ſacrifice, and fire and frankincenſe put into his right hand, (wherin he had yet ſome ſtrength,) thinking he would hauehave ſcattered the incenſe vponupon the altar, and hauehave ſacrificed, but the flame eate round about his hand, and the the ſame endured as though it had bin couered with hot embers, he ſaying the Pſalme: Bleſſed is the Lord my God who teacheth my hands to fight, &c.

VnderUnder Diocleſian, & Maximinian, ſuffered Agricola, Agricola.and Vitalis his ſeruant. Vitalis Vitalis.died in extremity of torments, Agricola was faſtned to the croſſe, and ſo died.

But moſt lamentable was the martyrdome of Vincentius a Spaniard,Vincentius lamentable martyrdome. who ſuffered martirdom at Valence vnderunder Darianus the Preſident: of whom he was ſo racked, that all the ioynts of his body cracked: then was his body indented with many deadly wounds: and thirdly, his fleſh was torne with yron combes ſharply fyled, and that the tormentors ſhould be the more egar, they were alſo ſcourged.Tormentors ſcourged. This done they laid his body vponupon a grate of yron, and hauing opened it with hookes, they ſeared it with fiery plates, ſprinckling the ſame with hotte ſalt. And laſt of all, they drew him into a dungeon ſprinckled with ſharpſhelles, and locked his feet in the ſtockes.

At Alexandria, Philoromus, hauing great poſſeſſions, forſooke all for Chriſt, and was beaded, and could not be moued with reſpect of friends, wife or children. Alſo Procopius Procopius.in Paleſtine, after his conuerſion, brake his ſiluer images and gaue them to the poore, and after moſt grieuous torments, had his head ſmitten off, hauing firſt his body diſmembred, both of hands and feete.

In like manner ſuffered Gregorius, a young man of Cappadocia, beſides a number of others, as Sergius and Bacchius, &c.

p. 58Panthaleon Panthaleon.a Phiſition in Nicomedia, Theodorus in the citie of Amaſia, in Helleſpontus, Gerion with 318. fellow martirs,318. martyrs. which ſuffered about Colon. Hermogenes Preſident of Athens, being conuerted by the conſtancie and patience of one Menas, and Eugraphus. Item Samonas, Gurias and Abilus, Hieron alſo with certaine his confeſſors vnderunder Maximinus, Indes and Dominas at Nicomedia, with 2000. martyrs:2000. martirs. Enelaſius and Maximinius, whom Fauſta the virgin conuerted in her torments. Alſo Thirſus, Lucius, Callinicus, Apollonius, Philemon, Aſilas, Leonides, with Arrianus preſident of Thebaide.

Cyprian Biſhop of Antioch (before his profeſſion being a filthy magician,) ſuffred with Iuſtina a virgin. Item Glicerius at Nicomedia, Felix a miniſter, Fortunatus, Achilleus deacons in the citie of Valent, Arthemius of Rome, Ciriacus deacon to Marcellus the Biſhop, Caryophorus Prieſt at Thuſcia, with Abundus his deacon. Item Claudius, Cyrinus, Antonius, which ſuffered with the Biſhop Marcellinus, Cucuſatus in the citie Barcimona, Felix Biſhop of Apulia, with Audactus and Ianuarius his prieſts, Fortunatus and Septimus his readers, who ſuffered in the citie Venuſia vnderunder Diocleſian: Caſſianus Caſſianus.was ſtabbed in of his ſchollers with bodkins, or yron pennes, wherewith they did vſe to write.

Now the conſtancie of the womē Conſtancy of women.was alſo marueilous, & eſpecially of a virgin, named Eulalia, Eulalia.of the towne of Emerita in Portugal, who (beeing ſhut vp of her Chriſtian Parents, that for deſire of martirdome, feared leaſt ſhée ſhould be cauſe of her own death) brake out in the night, & came before the Gouernor of the town of Emerita, being diſtant frō the village where ſhe was kept, & confeſſed her ſelfe to be a Chriſtiā, & reproued the cruelty of the iudge, & the vanity of Maximinius, y^e worſhipped Idols, throwed the idols down, which ſhée was brought to worſhip, & ſcattered the incenſe. Wherfore, after many vain perſwaſiōs. ſhe had one ioynt of p. 59her body pulled from an other, and her fleſh and ſides ſcratched with talents of wilde beaſtes to the bones (ſhée in the meane time reioyſing and prayſing God) They ſeared her breſts with torches, which when they had caught her hayre which hanged downe to her féete & couered her ſhame, ſhée ſwallowed the flame, opening her mouth, and ſo died.

Like was the conſtancy of Agnes of Rome, of honorable parentage, and not mariageable, when ſhe profeſſed Chriſt, wherefore being brought before the iudge, ſhe was threatned torments which ſhe contemned, then was ſhe threatned to be cōmitted to the common ſtewes, & yoonkers appointed to aſſaile her, whom when ſhe refuſed, cōmandement was giuen that ſhee ſhould bee tied at a corner of a ſtréete, naked where cōmon ſtrumpets vſed to reſort. At this y^e multitude being greatly aſhamed, went away ſauing one, who beholding y^e virgin with vnchaſt eies, was ſtricken w^t lightning,A miracle. & his eies daſht out of his head: whom Agnes praied for, & reſtored. In the end ſhe was beheaded, and greatly reioyced to ſée the executioner, preferring him before all the amorous companie. There are many miracles reported of her.

Catharine Katherine.openly reſiſted the Emperour Maxentius to his face, rebuking him for his crueltie, wherefore after ſhee had felt the racke, and the foure ſharpe cutting wheeles, ſhe was beheaded, about the yeere of the Lord 310.

There was alſo one Iulitta, Iulitta.who was diſpoſſeſſed wrōgfullie of her goods by the Emperors Deputie: for which ſhée complayned to the Emperor: but the couetous, and falſe deputie, accuſed her of Chriſtianitie, wherefore ſhe could hauehave no redreſſe. Whereupon being commaunde to doe ſacrifice with Incenſe, ſhe refuſed it, and confirmed, and encouraged others. She was burnt in the fire, & ſo ſlept in the Lord.

Alſo Barbara, a noble womā in Thuſcia, after ſhe had ſuffered moſt cruel torments as, cordes, & burning of her ſides, was at the laſt beheaded.

Alſo Fauſta Fauſta.the virgin, who ſuffered vnderunder Maximinus: by p. 60whom Euelaſius a ruler in the Emperors palace, and Maximinius the preſident, were both conuerted, & ſuffered martyrdome. Alſo Iuliana of Nicomedia, vnderunder Maximinus. Item Aniſia a mayd of Theſſalonica, vnderunder the ſame Maximinus. Iuſtina, which ſuffered with Cyprianus biſhop of Antioch. Alſo Lucia, Agatha and Tecla, who rather ſuffered vnderunder Nero as moſt doo agrée: which all holy virgins, ſuffered in the tenth perſecution of Diocleſian.

Succeſſion of Biſhops of Rome.Now during the time of this perſecution, theſe Biſhops ſuccéeded one the other: Caius, who ſuccéeded next after Xiſtus, Marcellinus, Marcellus, Euſebius, and then Miltiades: all which died martyrs in the time of this perſecution. Marcellinus hauing giuen place to Diocleſian, and ſacrificed, was excommunicated, but repented, and was martyred, with Claudius, Cyrinnus, and Antonius. Marcellus alſo refuſing to doe ſacrifice, was beaten with waſters, and expelled the citie, and entred into the houſe of Lucina Lucina.a widow: & aſſembled the congregation. Which the tyrant hearing of, turned the houſe of Lucina into a ſtable, and made Marcellus a kéeper of beaſts: and ſo with ſtinch thereof, and miſerable handling, he died. Euſebius ſate Biſhop of Rome two moneths: ſome ſay eight, ſome ſixe moneths. Miltiades (by the teſtimonie of Platina) ſate thrée yéeres & ſeuen moneths, & ſuffered vnderunder Maximinus. Which ſéemeth not to be true, becauſe he died before Miltiades. He was the laſt of the biſhops of Rome, that were in danger to ſuffer.

Yet perſecutiō in Aſia.Now in the Eaſt partes, in all Aſia as yet for the ſpace of iiij. yerers perſecutiō did not ceaſe, by the meanes of wicked Licinius: vnderunder whom ſuffered diuers: as, Hermylus, a Deacon, and Stratonicides, a kéeper of the priſon. Which both, (after puniſhments ſuſtayned) were ſtrangled in the floud Iſter.

Now alſo vnderunder Sapores, VnderUnder Sapores.king of Perſia, ſuffered Acyndinus, Pegaſius, Anempodiſtus. and Epidephorus: alſo, Simeon, Archbiſhoppe of Selentia, with Cteſiphon, another p. 61Biſhop in Perſia, with other miniſters, and religious men,128. martirs. to the number of 128.

The Magicians of Perſia accuſed Simeon, and Cteſiphō to Sapores, that they fauoured the Romane Empire, and reuealed to the Emperor ſuch things,The magiciās raiſe perſecution. as were done in Perſia. Whereupon he called for Simeon, the chief Biſhop, and endeuoured to perſwade him to doe ſacrifice: which he refuſing, was committed to priſon: and in the way going to the Gaole, there was ſitting at the kings gate a certaine Eunuche, an olde Schoolemaſter and Tutor of the kinges, named Vſthazares, Vſthazares.who had fallen from Chriſtianitie to Idolatrie, who ſéeing the. B. paſſing by, led to priſon, roſe vp, & did reuerence vntounto him. Simeon Simeon.againe with ſharpe words rebuked him, and cried out againſt him. Whereat the Eunuche burſt out into teares, and (laying away his Courtly attire) put vponupon him a mourning wéede, and ſate before the Court gates wéeping, and ſaying within himſelfe, woe is me, with what hope ſhall I hereafter looke for my God, whē Simeon my familiar acquaintance ſo much diſdayneth me? Which being made known vntounto the king,A notable hiſtorie. and he confeſſing himſelfe a chriſtian, after many perſwaſible words in vain, he was by the kings commandement led away to be beheaded. Going vntounto execution, hée deſired that the king woulde graunt him, for the old and faithfull ſeruice he had done him, that it might be proclaimed by a Crier, that Vſthazares was not beheaded for any offence againſt the king, or Realm; but onlie becauſe he was a chriſtiā. Which he required, becauſe his ſhrinking from the faith, gaue great offence to many Chriſtians that heard thereof. And ſo it was granted vntounto him. Simeon being in priſon, and hearing thereof, was very glad: and the next day ſuffered alſo, with an hundred more.An hundred ſuffer. All which were put to death before Simeon, who confirmed them: and at laſt, with two other miniſters of his Church, Abedecalaus, and Ananias, he was alſo put to death.

At which time, one Puſices, ſéeing Ananias, an old father, p. 62to ſhrinke at the ſight of thoſe that ſuffered: ſaid vntounto him, O father, a litle moment ſhut thine eyes, and be ſtrong, and ſhortly thou ſhalt ſée the ſight of God. Which being reported to the king, he cauſed an hole to be made in his neck, & there: out pulled his tongue, and ſo was he put to death, who was the kings ſeruant, and ouerſéer of his Artificers. At which time alſo, the daughter of Puſices, a godly virgin, was put to death for the teſtimonie of Ieſus.

The next yere following, on the day of the Lords paſſion,A cruel edict. the king ſet foorth an Edict, for the vtter extinguiſhing of all the Chriſtians that were in his Dominions. So that an infinite number were ſlaine in Towne and Citie, (by the procurement of the Magicians,Magicians.) and diuers in the kings Court ſuffered martirdome: among whom was Azades, Azades.whom he did moſt entirely louelove. Of whoſe death when hée heard,The teachers onelyonly put to death. he tooke it ſo heauelie, that he commaunded after that time, no Chriſtians ſhould be put to death, but onelyonly thoſe that were teachers.

In the ſame time the Quéene fell into a certaine diſeaſe: vponupon occaſion whereof, the cruel Iewes, & Magicians falſly accuſed Trabula, Trabula.the ſiſter of Simon the Martir, a godly virgin, with another Siſter of hers, that they had wrought the Quéene hurt by Charmes: for which, they were both cut in ſunder with Sawes, and their quarters hanged vponupon ſtakes, the Quéene going betwéene them, thinking thereby to be healed. This Trabula (being beautiful) was promiſed deliuerance by one of the Magicians, if ſhe would yelde to his pleaſure Which ſhe conſtantly refuſed, and ſuffered patiently.

Now vponupon the Proclamation againſt the teachers, great perſecution roſe againſt them by the malice of the Magicians: eſpecially in the Countrey of Diabener, which was moſt Chriſtened: where Acepſimas (there B.) with a great number diſmiſſed, and onelyonly depriued of liuing, was taken and whipped of the Magicians. To whom one Iacolus p. 63Iacolus.a miniſter of the Church, ioyned himſelfe to ſerue the neceſſitie of the aged Biſhop. At the ſame time alſo Athalas a miniſter: Aradanes, and Abdieſus Decius, were impriſoned, and miſerably ſcouraged for the teſtimony of Chriſt: and afterward were more tormented of the Archmagician,The Archmagician. to whom the King had giuen liberty to vſe his pleaſure on them, vnleſſe they would worſhip the Sunne: which when they refuſed to doo, they were put to moſt bitter torments, in which Acepſimas died: the other yet remayning maruelouſly aliue, were turned againe into pryſon. Of whom Athalas Athalas.in time of his whipping, was ſo racked with pullings, that both his armes were pulled out of ioynt, and hung downe, that he had no vſe of them.

Innumerable were the ſlaughters of biſhops, miniſters,Innumerable ſlaine. and deacons, in this perſecution vnderunder Sapores. The names of certaine thus recited of Zozomen, and Nicephorus: Barbaſines, Paulus, Gaddiabus, Sabinus, Mareas, Marcus, Iohannes, Hormiſdas, Papa, Iacobus, Romas, Maares, Agas, Bothres, Aldas, Abieſus, Ioannes Abrianus, Agdelas, Sapores, Iſaac, Dauſus, Bitor, 250. martyrs. xv. thouſand martyred among the Perſians.alſo with Mameanda his fellowe Biſhop, and the reſt of his Churches vnderunder him, to the number of 250. perſons. In ſumme, the number of thoſe that the Perſians themſelues were able to recite, commeth to fifteen thouſand men and women. Now theſe troubles comming to Conſtantines eares, mooued him to conſider how to redreſſe the Perſecution, and there being at Rome Embaſſadors of Sapores, with requeſtes to the Emperour, hee graunted them all: thinking thereby,Conſtantine to Sapores, for mitigation of the perſecution to moue him to be fauourable to the Chriſtians: And wrote alſo vntounto him a letter, requiring him to take compaſſion vponupon thoſe Innocents, and ſhewed how the hand of God had béen againſt tirants of the Church, as Valerianus, &c.

What ſucceſſe his letter had, it is vncertaine: But likely it is, that it did ſomewhat mitigate the heate thereof. Of other troubles, it is recorded to hauehave béene in Perſia, vnderunder p. 64Iſdigerdes the king in the time of the Emperour Theodoſius, at which time ſuffered Andas Andas.the biſhop, and Homiſda Homiſda.a great noble mans ſonne of great reputation among the Perſians: whom the king condēned to kéepe his Elephants naked, and ſeing him a diſtance of time after, tanned with the Sunne, promiſed him if he would deny Chriſt a ſhirt to couer himſelfe withall: which whē he refuſed, he was baniſhed the country. There was alſo one Suenes Suenes.that had vnderunder him an hundred men: and becauſe he would not denie Chriſt, the vileſt of his ſeruaunts was appointed ouer him and the reſt, and coupled with his Maiſters wife.

Beniamin Beniamin.alſo, the deacon after two yéeres impriſonmēt, was let looſe at the requeſt of the Romaine Embaſſadour: but afterward preaching contrary to the kings commandement, was thruſt vnderunder the nailes with xx ſharpe prickes. Wherat when the martyr laughed, a ſharpe réede was put vp into his yard, and a long thornie ſtalke thruſt vp into his bodie, and ſo he died. Theſe perſecutions were about the yéere 425.

Likewiſe vnderunder Iulianus Iulianus,the Apoſtata, certaine ſuffered martirdome by Idolaters, as Emilianus, Emilianus.who was burned in Thracia, and Domitius, who was ſlaine in his caue. Theodorus alſo for ſinging a Pſalme at the remouing of the bodie of Babylas, was tormented from morning till night, and hardly eſcaped with life:The martirs comforted. and being aſked how hee coulde abide the torments, ſaid, at the firſt he felt ſome paine, but afterwarde, there ſtoode by him a yong man, who (as he was ſweating) refreſhed him in ſuch ſorte, that being let downe from the Engine it gréeued him more than before. Artemias alſo the Captaine of the Egyptian Souldiers, loſt his head for Chriſt. Alſo, Euſebius, and Neſtabus, two Brethren, with Neſtor alſo, were murthered by the people of Gaza.

Euſpicius, a noble man in the Countrey, died among thē of Ceſarea, whereof, ſome were baniſhed, ſome ſlaine, for p. 65pulling downe the temple of Fortune. But ſpeciall was the crueltie of the Arethuſians Arethuſians.a people of Syria, againſt a company of Chriſtian virgins, whome they firſt ſet out naked to be ſcorned of the multitude, then ſhaued them: then couered them with ſwill and draffe, and cauſed them to be deuoured of Swine. It is thought their crueltie was the greater, becauſe Conſtantine reſtrained them of the expoſing their virgins to filthy luſt, and deſtroyed the temple of Venus in Heliopolis.

Among the reſt,The temple of Venus deſtroied. Marcus Arethuſus Marcus Arethuſus.their Biſhop was moſt cruelly handled, becauſe at the commaundement of Conſtantine, hée pulled downe a temple of Idols, and builded a Church for Chriſtians in the place. Now they conſidering how he was not fauoured of Iulianus, accuſed him of treaſon: who firſt fled, then hearing there were taken other for him, hée returned againe, & offered himſelfe: whom when they had gotten, they firſt ſtripped naked, and beate him gréeuouſly, then they put him into a filthy ſinke, from whence againe they tooke him, and cauſed boyes to truſt him in with ſharpe ſticks. Laſtly, they put him into a baſket & annointed him with hony and broth, and hong him before the ſunne, as meat for waſpes & flies to féed on. All this they did vntounto him, that he might be brought either to build again the temple, or giuegive mony to the building: which he refuſed. But at the laſt (taking him to be a poore man) they required but a ſmall ſumme, which he alſo would not yéeld vntounto: anſwering y^t it were as great impietie to confer one halfepeny to a matter of impietie, as a great ſumme: thus they being not able to preuaile againſt him, let him downe. And thus much of the perſecution in y^e primitiue church,The perſecutiō of the primatiue Church endeth. A monethmonth for a ſaboth of yeeres. which agréeth with the time of the Apocalips, taking eueryevery monethmonth for a ſaboth of yéeres: 42. Monethas, that make vp iuſt the time frō Chriſtes death, to the laſt yéere of perſecutiō by Maxentius, which were 294. & ſix yéeres vnderunder Licinius in Aſia: in all 300. yéeres, reckoning from the death of Iohn Baptiſt, to p. 66the end of Maxentius and Licinius: all which time Sathan from the time of Licinius till Iohn Wickliffe was bound vp.Sathan bound vp, til Wicliffe.

Conſtantine deferred baptiſme till his old age, becauſe he determined a iourney into Perſia, and thought in Iordan to hauehave béene baptized. He entered into the Empire, Anno 311. and raigned 30. yéeres, as Letus ſaith 32. lacking two moneths.Conſtantine borne in England. Helena daughter of king Coilus, Conſtantines mother. He was borne in Brytaine. His mothers name was Helena daughter of king Coilus. He greatly trauelled for the peace of Chriſtians, and before hée had conquered Licinius, wrote to his ſubiects inhabiting the Eaſt, in their fauour. He ſet alſo peace among the Biſhops in the Church, who were at diſſention, and made prouiſion for miniſters and teachers of the people, and cauſed all to be reſtored vntounto the Chriſtians that had béene taken from them in the perſecutions:Conſtantine, a father of the Church. writing to Syluius his chiefe Captaine, to that end, and commaunded him that in Affrica where he had to doo, and where Cecilianus was biſhop, that Clarkes and miniſters ſhould be freed from all manner publike duties & burthens. He was greatly ſtudious in taking vp cauſes among the biſhops, and wrote to that end to diuers: as to Miltiades biſhop of Rome, to Creſcēs biſhop of Siracuſa, to Cecilianus biſhop of Carthage: alſo to Euſebius for the edifying of new Churches. And after he had gathered the Nicene CouncellNicene councell. for the vnitie of the Church, he writeth to Alexander, and Arrius to the ſame entent.

He preſcribed a certaine prayer for eueryevery one of his ſouldiers in ſtead of a brief Catechiſme, & cauſed them to learne the ſame,Conſtantine teacheth his ſouldiers a prayer. which is this: Wée acknowledge thée onelyonly to be our God, we confeſſe thée onelyonly to be our king, we call vponupon thée our onelyonly helper: by thée we obtaine our victories, by thée we vanquiſh our enemies, to thée we attribute whatſoeuer commodities we preſently enioy, and by thée we hope for good things to come: vntounto thée we direct all our ſuits, and peticions, moſt humbly beſéeching thée to kéepe Conſtantine our Emperour and his noble children, to continew in long p. 69life, and to giuegive them victory ouer all their enimies through Chriſt our Lord. Amen.

He graunted great immunities to the miniſters, that they might appeale from the ciuil iudge to their biſhop,Appeale granted by Conſtantine. whoſe ſē tence was of as great value in ſuch caſes, as if the Emperour himſelfe had pronounced it.

He prouided alſo maintenance for liberall artes and ſciences, for the profeſſors,Prouiſion for learning. their wiues and children and gaue thē great immunities. He wrote alſo to Euſebius the B. of Nicomedia, to procure 50. volumes of parchment, wel boūd, and cauſe to be written out of the ſcripture therein in a legeable hand,The ſcriptures written for the vſe of y^e church. ſuch things as were profitable for the inſtruction of the Church: and allowed him two miniſters for the buſineſſe. Finally, he was a father to the Church, and enforced himſelfe eueryevery way to ſet forth the Goſpel, and eueryevery good thing, and endeuoured to ſuppreſſe the contrary.Conſtantine baptiſed a little before his death.

He was baptiſed at Nicomedia, of Euſebius Biſhoppe of Nicomedia, in the 31. yéere of his raigne, a little before his death.

The end of the ten perſecutions.