Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny, Book 1

Christs Victory over Satans Tyranny · Book 1

p. 1AN ABSTRACT OF ALL THE HISTORIES OF THE CHVRCH from CHRIST to this day. 1614.

THE FIRST BOOKE.

IN describing the whole State of the Prim…tiue, and latter times of the Church: First shall be declared the suffering time of the Church▪ 300. yeares after Christ: secondly, the flourishing time of the Church, 300. yeares more: then the declining of true Religion, 300. yeares more: sourthly, of the raigne of Antichrist since Sathan was loosed. Lastly, of the reforming of the Church in this last thrée hundred yeares.

In the tractation of all which things, the Christian Reader may by experience obserue two special points: First, the Nature of the World: Secondly, the condition of the Kingdome of Christ: By the World is meant, all that by ignorance know not Christ, and that will not beléeue him, or that persecute him. The Kingdome of Christ, are the beléeuers in Christ, and take his part against the World; and though they be much fewer then the other, and alwaies lightly hat…d and molested of the world, yet they are they whom the Lord doth blesse, and euer will: and Christs Subiects which we call the Ui…b…e Church, the…e are of two sorts; first, of such as onelyonly outwardly professe Christ; secondly, of such as by e…ection inwardly are ioyned to Christ: the first, honour Christ onelyonly in their lippes, and partake the outward Sacrament, but not the inward blessing: the second, in word and heart truely serue Christ, and partake with the outward Sacrament the Grace of Christ.

And as betwéen the World & Christs Kingdome▪ there is a continuall resistance, so betwéene these two parts of the Uisible Church oft groweth mortall persecution, so that the true Church hath no greater enemies then her owne Professors, which happened in the time of Christ, and other times, but especially in the persecution of Antichrist.

Who should rather hauehave receiued Christ then the Scribes and Pharises, and who persecuted and reiected him more? they refused Christ to be their King, and chose Caesar, who after destroyed them, whereby we may learue the daung…r of refusing the Gospell.

The like example is to be noted in the Romains, for when Pontius Pilate had cer…ified Tyberius Caesar Tyberius Caesar.of the doings of Christ▪ of his Myracles, Resurrection, and p. 2Ascention, and how he was receiued of many as God, he did beléeue, and willed the Senate that Christ might bee adored as God, but they refused, because he was consecrated before the Senate of Ro…e had so decréed and approoued him, so obeying the Law of Man more then of God: they refused him, and contented themselues with the Emperour, and as they preferred the Emperour and reiected Christ, God iustly stirred their Emperours against them, that the Senators were almost all deuoured by them, and the Citty it selfe horribly afflicted thrée hundred yeares, for at last the same Tyberius was a sharpe Tyrant to them, who spared not his owne Mother and Nephewes, and of his Princes and Councellors, he left but two or thrée aliue: Many were condemned with their Wiues and Children, Maides also first defloured, then put to death. Pilate, Pontius Pilate.vnderunder when Christ was crucif…ed, was depriued by him, and banished to Lyons,Anno 34. and there slew himselfe, and Agrippa Agrippa.by him was cast into Prison. In the seuentéenth of his raigne Christ suffered.

After whose death this Tyberius Nero liued sixe yeares, during which time no persecution was in Rome against the Christians through the commaundement of the Emperour.

…fter him succéeded C. Caesar Caligula, Ca Caesar Caligula.Claudius Nero, and Domitius Nero, which thrée were likewise scourges to the Senate and people of Rome. The first tooke other mens wiues from them, and defloured thrée of his owne Sisters, and banished them, he commaunded himselfe to be worshipped as a God, and Temples to bee erected in his name, vsing to fit in the Temples amongst the Gods, and made his Image to be set vp in all Temples, and in the Temple of Ierusalem: he wished all the people of Rome had but one necke, that at his pleasure he might destroy them. By him Herod, that killed Iohn Baptist, and condemned Christ, was banished, where he died miserably. Caiphas, which sat vponupon Christ, was at the the same time remoued from the high Priests roome. The Tribunes slew this Caligula in the fourth yeare of his raigne, there was found in his Closset two Libels;43. one called the Sword, the other the Daggar, in which were contained the Names of the Senators and Nobles of Rome which he had purposed to put to death, and there was found in a Coffer diuers …inds of poisons for the purpose to destroy a number of people, and being throwne into the Sea, they destroyed a great number of Fishes.

Claudius Nero, Claudius Nero.which succéeded Caligula, raigned thirtéene yeares, with no little cruelty, but Domitius Nero, Domitius Nero.which succéeded Claudius raigned fouretéene yeares, with such cruelty, that he slew the most part of the Senators, and all the Order of Knighthood: He abstained not from his owne Mother, his Sister, or any degrée of his Kindred in monstrous vncleannesse and Incest, and ca…sed them, with his Brother, his owne Wife great with childe, and his Maister Seneca to be put to death, together with Lucan, and diuers of his Kindred. He made Rome to bee set on fire in twelue places, which continued sixe daies and seauen nights, to sée the example how Troy burned, and the while sang verses of Homer. He laid the sauit vponupon the Christians, and caused them to be persecuted, at last the Senate proclaimed him a publike Enemy, and condemned him to be whipped through the Cittie to death, and for feare he fled, and slew himselfe, complaining he had neither friend nor enem… would doe it for him. In the latter end of his raigne Anno 69.69. Peter and Paule Peter and Paul.were put to death for the faith of Christ. Thus you sée the iust iudgement of God from time to time, on those that contemne Christ and will not receiue him, by this destruction of the Romaines, by their Emperors, and by their ciuill warres, and 5000. Romains slaine at one time by the fall of a Theater.

But most especiall by the destruction of the Iewes, which in the yeare 73.73 and thrée yeares after the suffering of Peter and Paul, The destruction of Ierusalem.was destroyed by Tytus and Vespasian to the number of eleauen hundred thousands, besides them that were slaine in Galily, and 17000. were sold for slaues, and 2000. were brought with Tytus in triumph, and part deuoured with wilde beasts, and the rest most cruelly slaine. Whereby all Nations may take example to reiect the verity, and much more to persecute them which be sent of God for their saluation, likewise the Emperors themselues for persecuting Christ in his members, escaped not without their iust reward, as in this Story hath and hereafter will appeare.

p. 3Steuen was the first Martir; the same day that hee suffered, Nicanor one of the Deacons with two thousand suffred for the faith, after Herod slue Iames the brother of Iohn, whose accuser repented and confessed himselfe to bee a Christian also, and was beheaded with him.

Simon one of the Deacons was after Bishop of Bosrum in Arabia, where hee was burned, and Parmenas another of the Deacons suffred for the faith.

Thomas preached to the Parthians, Medes, Persians, Germaines, Hereaconies, Bactries, and Magies, and was slayne with a Darte in Calamia a City of Iudea.

Simon Zelotes preached in Mauritania, Aphricke and Brittayne, who was Crucified.

Iudas Thaddeus, brother of Iames, preached in Mesopotamia and in Edisseus, and the King there slew him in Berito a Citty thereof.

Simon the brother of Iude and Iames the younger, the sonne of Mary Cleopha and Alpheus, as Dorotheus writeth, was after Iames Bishop of Ierusalem, and crucified in Egipt, Trayanus beeing Emperour, but Abdias writte hee was slaine with his brother Iude by the people of Suauir in Persidis.

Marke was Bishop of Alexandria, hee preached in Egypt, and there was drawne with ropes to the fire and burned in the raigne of Trayanus.

Bartholomeus preached long time to the Indians, and translated St Matthewes Gospell into their languadge, did many Miracles there, and after many persecutions in Albania of Armenia, hee was beaten downe with staues, crucified, excoriated and beheaded-

Andrew, Peters brother, was crucified at Patris in Achaya (by Egeas) embracinge the crosse and reioycing therein.

Matthew conuerted Ethiopia and Egypt, Hercan the King sent one to run him through with a speare.

Matthias preached to the Iewes, and they stoned and beheaded him.

Phillip preached to the barbarous Nations who crucified and stoned him at Hirapolis of Phrygia, where hee and his Daughters with him were burned.

The Iewes required Iames Iames.to stand vppon the Battlement of the Temple and disswade the people from Christ, but hee preached him there and was throwne downe headlong and stoned, where hee was buried, at which time the Iewes put many other to death for the testimony of Christ.

The first Persecution by Nero Domitius

NEro Domitius caused the first persecution, hee regarded neither sect, condition of life, or age, the streets were spread with dead bodies of Christians, hee indeuored vtterly to abolish the name of Christians: in this persecution, Peter was crucified, who required his head to be hanged downward as vnworthy to dye like Christ, the cause was thought to bee because Symon Magus, Symon Magus.pretending to flye from the Mount Capitolinus to Heauen, by Peters prayers was brought downe headlong, and his ioynts beeing broken hee dyed, at that time Peters wife suffred, and the same day twelue-month Paule suffred.

The Second Persecution by Domitian.

THe Church had some rest vnderunder Vespatian, but Domitian mooued the second persecution, he killed all the Nephewes of Iuda called the Lords brothers, and slew all hee could find of the stocke of Dauid as Vespatian did before him, least any of that stocke should inioy the kingdome: in his time Symon Bishop of Ierusalem, after other torments, was crucified, and Iustus succéeded in his Bishopricke.

Hee banished Iohn Iohn.to Pathmos, and vnderunder Pertinax hee was released and came to Ephesus and continued there vntounto the time of Trayanus: Eusebius 99Gouerned the Church p. 4of Asia, and wrote his gospell there: Flauia, Daughter to Flauius Clemens a Consull of Rome, suffred for Christs name, and with many other was banished out of Rome to Pontia.

Some of the stocke of Dauid were brought to Domitian to bee slaine, who séeing they were poore, and vnderstanding by them, that Christs Kingdome should bee heauenly and not worldly, he let them go and stayed persecutions, they after gouerned Churches and liued in peace vntounto the time of Traianus, in the time of which persecution no kind of torment was omitted that might empaire the credit of the Christians, they would not suffer their bodies to bee buried and yet the Church dayly increased.

Euaristas, Bishop of Rome, next to Clement, succéeded in the third yéere of Traianus, and suffred nine yéeres after.

Alexander succéeded him, and conuerted many of the Senators of Rome to the faith; he raysed the son of Hermes from death to life, and made his mayd, being blind, to sée, which Adrianus the Emperour hearing of him sent word to the Gouernor of Rome to apprehend him and his two Deacons, Euentus a…d Theodorus, and the said Hermes, and Quirinus▪ a Tribune, whose daughter Albina hee cured, which Cure, moued him to bee baptized, and suffer for the faith of Christ, and Aurelianus tooke Alexander with Hermes, his wife, Children, and whole houshold, 1250. put them in prison, and burned them all in a furnace, and martired the said Theodorus for rebuking him thereof, and Quirinus had his tongue cut out, then his hands and …eete cut off, after was beheaded, and east to the Dogges.

The third Persecution.

THere was but one yeare betweene the second and the third persecution by the Emperour Traianus, which was so grieuous that Plinius Secundus, an Infidell, wrote to the Emperour, that so many thousands were put to death without cause, sauing that they gathered themselues together before day to sing Hymmes to a God which they called Christ, he reasoned why that sin should be punished more then all other sins, and that he had put two Christian maides vponupon the racke to proue if they could hauehave extorted confession of further crime, but could not; wherevpon the persecutions were greatly alayed,

Symeon, sonne of Cleophas, Bishop of Ierusalem, was accused by the Iewes to be a Christian, and of the stocke of Dauid, wherefore Attalus commanded him to be scourged many dayes together beeing an hundred and twenty yeares old, his constancy was greatly admired; he was crucified.

Because Phocas, Bishop of Pontus, refused to sacrifice to Neptune, Traianus cast him into a hot…e furnace, and after into a scalding …ath.

Sulpitius and Seruilia, with there wiues, whom Salma conuerted to the faith, were also then martired: Salma was beheaded and Lepidus, in the Mount Auentine, with whom suffred Seraphia, a Uirgen of Antioch, in this time Nereus and Achilleus suffred at Rome and one Sagaris, who was martired in Asia.

In this time Ignatius suffred, hee was sent from Siria to Rome; comming to Asia hee confirmed the Churches, and comming to Smirna, where Policarpus was, he wrote diuers Epistles to Ephesus, to Magnesia, and to Trall…; hee was aiudged to be deuoured of Beasts, and hearing the Lions roare, I am the wheate of Christ (said he) and shall be ground with the teeth of wild beasts that I may be pure bread: at this time many thousands died for the faith, amongst them one Publius Bishop of Athens.

Hadrian the Emperour, succéeded Traianus, who slew Zenon a Noble man of Rome, and 10023 for Christ. Borgomensis Lib▪ 8. makes mention of ten thousand in Hadrians dayes to bee crucified in Mount Ararat, crowned with thornes, their sides pearced with Darts, after the example of the Lords passion.

Eustachius, a Captaine, who was sent against the Barbarians, and subdued them, Hadrian met him honourably, and doing sacrifice to Apollo for the victory, willed Eustachius to doe so also, which hee refusing, hee was brought to Rome, and with p. 5his wife and children suffred marterdome.

Faustin… us and Iobita, Cittizens of Brixia, suffred marterdome with grieuous torments, Caelocerius, seeing their great pa…ience cryed out, vere magnus deus Christianorum, wherevpon he was apprehended, and suffred with them.

Anthia, a godly woman committed Eleutherius her sonne vntounto Anicetus Bishop of Rome, who after was Bishop of Apulia, she with her sonn was beheaded, and Iustus and Pastor, two brethren, suffred vnderunder Adrian at Complutum in Spaine.

About the same time, Simpronissa, the wife of Gerulus, the Marter, suffred, with her seauen children, beeing first, often scourged, then hanged by the haire of the head, then a stone fastned about her necke, she was cast into the Riuer, after her children were martired w…th diuers punishments, they were tied to seauen sta…es & so racked with a pully thrusting thorough one in the necke, another in the brest▪ another in the heart, another about the nauell, another cut in eueryevery ioynt, another runne thorough with a speare, the last cut a sunder in the middle, then were they cast into a déepe pit, which the Idolatrous Priests intituled, Ad septem Biathanatos▪ Getulius, also a preacher at Tiber with Cerdelis, Amantius and Prinitiuus▪ were condemned to the fire at Hadrians commandment: Sophia with her two children, Serapia and Salma, were likewise martired.Anno. 130. Hadriana at Eleusina in Athens sacrifising to the gentiles Gods, gaue all men liberty to kill the Christians, wherevpon Quadracus Bishop of Athens and A…stydes … Philosopher, & Serenus Granus, a great Noble man, w…ote Apologies for the Christians, so l…arnedly la…ing out their innocency, that the Emperour wrot to the Proconsull of Asia, henceforth to exercise no more cruelty vponupon the Christians; thus for a time they had some quiet.

Antonius Pius succeeded Hadrian, the rage of the Heathen ceased not to persecute the Chr…stians, but the Emperours affection toward them appeared by an Edict of his to the Commons of Asia, to …ay the rage against the Christians, ex…e…t they offended the laow of the Empire, willing them to consider their patience in torments, and bouldnesse in Earthquakes and Tempests, when others quaked: This Edict was proclamed at Ephesus in the publicke assembly of all Asia, which applased the tempest of per…ecution in his dayes.

The fourth Persecution.

AFter him succéeded M: Antonius Verus, many Christians in his time suffred diuers torments▪ at Smirna some were whipped that their …eines appeared, and their bowels were seene, and after they were set vponupon sharpe shelles taken out of the Sea, and nayles and thornes set for them to goe vppon, and then throwne to beas…s to be deuoured, amongst whom Germanicus suffred so constantly that they admir…d him.

Policarpus, a Disciple to the Apostles 86. yeares, a preacher 70. yeares placed by St. Iohn in Smirna, these persecutions beeing begunne, hee hid himselfe, with a few of his company, and continued night and day in supplication for the peace of the congregation .3. dayes before his apprehension, he dreamed his bed was suddenly consumed with fire vnderunder him, which hee interpreted that hee should suffer martirdome by fire, and beeing found by the pursuers, hee intertained them cheerfully, made them di…e, and desired an houres respit to pray, which he did in such sort, that they which heard him were astonied, then they brought him to the Citty vppon an Asse, where Irenarcus, Herodes, and his father Nicetes met him, caused him to come into their Chariot and perswaded him to doe sacrifice, but when hee would not, they gaue him rough words, and thrust him downe the Chariot, that he might breake hi… legs, but he went merrily to the place appoynted, where there came a voyce from Heauen to comfort him: the Proconsull disswaded him from the faith, and willed him to say with them, destroy these naughty men, who with constant countenance beheld the whole multitude, & looking vp to heauen said thou, th… it is, that will destroy these wicked men, then the Proconsu…l was …arne… with him▪ and said, take thine Oth, and defie Christ, & I will discharge thee, who answered, p. 6these foure score and sixe yeares I hauehave béene his seruant and hee hath not hurt me, how then may I speake euill of my Lord and King which hath thus preserued me, and when they could not preuaile by perswasions nor threatnings he was commanded to be cast to the Lion, but because the Lion had his prey already, the people with one voyce required that he might be burned, and when they would hauehave nayled him to the stake with iron hoopes, he said, hee that hath giuen me strength to ab…de the fire, shall also giuegive me power that I shall not stirre in this fire, which when they onelyonly bound him, hee praysed God and testified his faith: the fire seemed to the beholders to compasse the body like a vayle, which seemed like gold and siluer, and yéelded a plesant smell; the fire not consuming his body one thrust him in with a sword, whereby so much blood issued out of his body that it quenched the fire, after the body was taken and burned,

At that time suffred twelue that came from Philadelphia with diuers other, as Metrodorus a Minister and Pionius a worthy man, who after grieuous torments were burned, and Carpus, Papylus, and Agothonica a woman were put to death at Pergamopolis in Asia: Felicitas with her seauen Children suffred at Roome, the first was whipped and prest to death, the second and third had their braines broken out, the fourth was cast downe head-longe and had his necke broken, the other thré were beheaded and left the mother slaine with the sword.

At this time Iustinus the learned Piilosopher suffred, who wrote appologies to the Senate of Rome, the Emperour, and Liefetenant of the Citty for the Christians,174 hee preuayled so much with Antonius Pius that he stayed the persecution in Asia, he vanquished Crescens a Philosopher, in reueng whereof hee procured his death.

Under this Tyrant also suffered Ptolomeus and Lucius for confessing Christ in Alexandria…in Egypt… a vicious infidell, whose wife was vicious, but conuerted by Ptolameus, and departed from her vicious husband, wherefore in reuenge hee suborned a Centurion to accuse him, who beeing brought before Vrbanus hee condemned him to death, and Lucius a Christian blaming the Iudge therefore, was with him also martired, also Concordus, a Minister of Spoletum, because hee would not sacrifice to Iupiter, but spate in his face, after sundry torments hee was beheaded: Diuers other martires suffred vnderunder this tyrant, as Symetricus, Florellus, Pontianus, Alexander, Caius Epipodus, Victor, Corona, Marcellus, and Valerian, who were killed because they would not sacrifice to Idols: Under this Tyrant suffred diuers Martirs at Uienna and Lions in France, amongst whom Vetius, Zacharias, Sanctus, Maturus, Attallus, Blandina, Alexander and Alcibiades are chiefly renowned.

Vetius Epagathus for reprouing the cruell sentence of the Iudge against the Christians, and making an apology for them was martired, hee was called the aduocate of the Christians.

At that time Photinus, Deacon to the Bishop of Lyons, about 90. yeares old, was first beaten, then cast into prison where hee dyed within two dayes. Blandina, was fastened to a stake, and cast to beasts to bée deuoured, but none would touch her, so they put her in Prison vntill another time.

Attalus was brought forth, with one Alexander a Phrigian Phisition, who because hee encouraged the Christians before the Iudge, died most patiently broyled in an iron chaire.

After Blandina, and one Ponticus, but fifteene yeares ould, was brought forth, the child dyed with extremity of torments: Blandina after whipping gridirons, and beasts, was cast into a nette and throwne vntounto a wild Bull, and so gored to death; they would not suffer the dead bodies to bee buried; the causes why these Persecutions were so sharpe, was, because the Ethnicks, being seruants to the Christians, by threatning, for feare, said the Christians kept the feast of Thiestes, and incest of OEdipus, with other haiuous crimes.

p. 7Meleto Bishop of Sardis, and Claudius Apolinaris, Bishop of Hierapolis exhibited Apologies vntounto these Emperours for the Christians, so did Athenagoras a Philosopher and Legate of the Christians, whereby the persecution for the same time was stayed, others thinke that if was by a miracle in the Emperours Campe, for when the soldiers wanted water fiue dayes and were like to perish, a Legion of the Christian Soldiers withdrew themselues and prayed, whereby they obtained raine for them, selues, lightenings and ha…le to discomfort and put to flight their enemies, wherevppon the Emperour wrote to the Gouernours to giuegive thankes to the Christians, and giuegive them peace of whom came the victory.

Anthonius Comodus sonne to Verus succeeded and raigned 13. yeares, some thinke the persecution slaked in his time,175. by the fauour of Martia the Emperors Concubine who fauored the Christians, by reason whereof many Nobles in Rome receiued the Gospell: amongst whem one Apollonius, being accused by Seuerus his seruant, but this accuser was sound false and therefore had his legges broken, yet hee was driuen to confesse his faith, and for the same beheaded by an ancient law, that no Christian should be released without recantation.

The Emperour and the cittizens of Rome on his birth day assembled to offer sacrifices to Hercules and Iupiter, proclaiming that Hercules was Patron o… the Citty; but Vincentius, Eusebius, Perigrinus, Potentianus, instructers of the people hearing thereof preached against the same, and conuerted Iulius a Senator, with others to the faith, whereof the Emperor hearing, caused them to be tormented, and then prest to death, sauing that Iulius was beaten to death with Cudgels at the commandement of Vitellus maister of the soldiers.

Perigrinus was sent of Xistus Bishop of Rome to teach in France where the persecution had made wast,1…8. who established the Churches and returned to Rome & was Martired: this Xistus was the 6. Bishop of Rome, after Peter, and gouerned the ministry there 10. yeares Telesphorus succeeded him, and was Bishop 11. yeares, and was martired: after him succeeded Hyginus and died a martyr: after him succeeded Pius, after them Anicetus, Soter, Elutherius about the yeare 180.180.

In the time of Comodus, amongst others, were martired, Serapion Bishop of Antioch, Egesippus a writer of Ecclesiasticall histories from Christ to his time, also Miltiades who wrote his Apology for Christian Religion.

About this time wrote Hiraclitus, who first writ Anotations vppon the new Testament; also Theophilus Bishop of Cesaria, Dionisius Bishop of Corinth, a famous learned man, who wrote diuers Epistles to diuers Churches, and exhorteth Penitus a Bishop that he would lay no yoke of chastity, vponupon any necessity, vponupon his Brethren, also Clemens Alexandrinus, a famous learned man, liued in that time, and Gautenus, who was the first that read in open schoole in Alexandria, of whom is thought first to rise the order of Uniuersities in Christendome; he was sent to preach to the Indians by Demetrius Bishop of Alexandria.

In this tranquility of the Church grew contention for Easter day, which had beene stirred before of Policarpus and Anicetus, forthey of the west Church, pretending the tradition of Paul and Peter, but indeed it was of Hermes and Pius, kept Easter the 14. day of the first month, the Church of Asia followed the example of Iohn the Apostle, and obserued another day.

The fifth Persecution.

AFter Comodus raigned Pertinax, after whom succeeded Seuerus, vnderunder whom was raised the fift Persecution, hee raigned 18. yeares: in the first ten hee was very fauorable, after (through false accusations) hee proclaimed, that no Christian should be suffered, wherevppon an infinite number were slaine in the yeare 205.205. The crimes obiected was rebellion to the Emperour, Sacriledge and murdering of Infants, incestuous pollutions, eating raw flesh, libidinous commixture, worshipping the head of an asse which wa… raised by the Iewes, also for worshipping of the Sunne in rising, because they vsed daily to sing vntounto the Lord, or because they vsed to pray towards p. 8the East, but the speciall matter was because they would not worship Idols: these Persecutions raged in Affrica, Alexandria, Cappadocia, and Carthage: the number that were slaine was infinite. The first that suffered was Leonides, father of Origen, who but 17. yeares old desired to hauehave suffred with his father, but that his mother in the night stole away his garments, and his shirt, yet he wrote to his father: take heed you alter not your purpose for our sakes, hee was so toward in knowledge of Scripture and vertue, that his father would often in his sleepe kisse his breast, thanking God that he had made him so happy a father of so happy a sonne: his father being dead, and his goods confiscate to the Emperour, hee sustained himselfe, his mother and sixe brethren by keeping schoole, at length hee applied himselfe wholly to Scripture, and profited in the Hebrew and Greeke tongues, which hee conferred with other translations, as that of the 70. and found out other translations of Aquila, of Symachus and Theodocian, with which he also ioyned 4. others: he wrote 7000. Bookes. the Copies whereof hee vsed to sell for three-pence a peece to sustaine his liuing: hee had diuers Schollers, as Plutarchus Serenus, his brother who was burned, and Heraclitus and Heron, which were beheaded, another Serenus which was beheaded, and Rahis and Potamiena, shee was tormented with pitch poured on her, and martired with her mother Marcella, she was executed by one Basilides, who shewed her some kindnes in repressing the rage of the multitude; shee thanked him and promised to pray for him, hee being required after to giuegive an oth, touching the Idols and Emperour, (as the manner was) refused it, confessing himselfe to be a Christian and therefore was beheaded.

There was one Alexander, who after great torments, escaped and was Bishop of Ierusalem, Narcissus who was 61. yeares old, he was vnwildy to gouerne alone: he was 40. yeares Bishop of Ierusalem, vntill the Persecution of Decius, he erected a famous Library, where Eusebius had his cheefe helpe in directing his Ecclesiasticall History; hee wrote many Epistles, he licensed Origen to teach openly in his Church: after vnderunder Decius in Cesaria for his constant confession dyed in prison.

Policarpus sent Andoclus into France, Seuerus apprehending him, and first being beaten with bats he was after beheaded: in that time Asclepiades suffred much for his confession, and was made Bishop of Antioch, and continued there seauen yeares.

About this time Ireneus, with a great multitude beside were martired, hee was Scholler to Policarpus, and Bishop of Lyons 23. yeares; in his time the question of keeping Easter was renewed betwixt Victor Bishop of Rome, and the Churches of Asia, and when Victor would hauehave excommunicated them, Ireneus, with others, wrote to him to stay his purpose, and not to excommunicate them for such a matter.

Not long after followed Tertullian who writ learned Apologies for the Christians, and confuted all that the slanderours obiected, hee wrote many bookes, whereof part yet remaine.

Victor Bishop of Rome died a Martyr, after he had sitten there 10. or 12. yeares; he was earnest in the matter of Easter, and would hauehave excommunicated them that were contrary, but for Ireneus and others who agreed to hauehave Easter vppon the Sunday, because they would differ from the …, and because Christ rose on that day. On the other side were diuers Bishops of Asia, as Policrates Bishop of Ephesus, (alleadging the example of Philip the Apostle) with his three daughters, of Iohn the Euangelist at Ephesus, Policarpus at Smirna, Thraseas at Eumenia Bishop and Martyr, and of Sagaris of Laodicea, Bishop and Martyr, and Iapirius and Melito at Sardis with diuers other more. This sheweth that varience of Ceremonies, was no strange thing in Gods Church.

After Victor succéeded Zepherinus; he sate 17. yeares.

Under Seuerus also suffered Perpetua, Felicitas, and Rouocatus her brother, and Saturnius and Satyrus brethren, and Secumdulus, who dyed in prison, the rest were throwne to wild beasts.

Seuerus hauing raigned 18. yeares was slaine at Yorke, by Northerne men and Scots, (leauing two Sonnes Bassianus and Geta, Bassianus hauing slaine his brother p. 9in Brittaine, gouerned the Empire 6. yeares, he was slaine by his …, with his sonn… Pyadumenus raigned one yeare and were … people, then Varius Heliogab: raigned two yeares, very … and was slaine by his Sou…iers drawne through the ….

Aurelius Al…xander S…uerus raigned 13. year…s, well commended … fauoured the Christians.

Mammea the Emperours mother, commanded of …erome for … she sent to …n…ioch for Origen, who stayed a while with the … and returned to Alexandria, the Emperour and his mother were … Commotion in Germany▪ Though there was no open persecution in his … Iudges martyred many, because there was no … to the contrary: as Calixus … of Rome, who was tied to a great stone, and throwne out of a … He succeeded Z…pherinus, and Vibanus succeeded him, who died a … many …, amongst whom was …yburtius and Valerianus, … of Rome, and remained constant to Martyrdome.

Agapitus but 15. yeares old, suffered in his time, who was … because he would not doe Sac…ifice, after other torments, … the torments were executing, the …udge fall suddenly from his … his Bewels burned within him▪ and dyed vnderunder whom also … of Rome, was drawne through the Citie and cast into …ber.

In his time also Pamachus a Senator of Rome, with his wife … other men and women, and Sin pliciu… a Noble Senator▪ all these … had their heads smitten off and their hands hanged vp on diuerse … Under him also suffered Quiritius, a No…le man of Rome, with his … many more; also T…berius and Valerianus, … of Rome and … with …, and afterwords beheaded; also Martina a Uirgin.

¶The sixt Persecution.

MAximinus succéeded Alexander, and for the hatered he bare him, he … 2…7.Pers…cution, against the Teachers of the Church … in his … Origen writ his Booke De Martyrio; in …is time … Rome who …ucc…ded V…banus, with Phillip his Priest, was banished … there died.

In these times notable men were raised vp to the Church, as Philetus Bishop of Antioch, and Zebenus Bi…hop of the same, Ammonius Schoolemaster of Origen, … Africanus Origens Scholler, and Natalius who had suffered for the … … clepiodotus and Theod…tus Arrians promise… … to be the Bishop of their Sect, whereunto he yeelded, but the Lord … and regarding it not, he was … with Angels, and hee … and what had happened vntounto him, so Zephirinus Bishop, with the … him againe.

After Pontianus Bishop of Rome, Antonius succéeded, and after him … Hipolitus Bishop of a head citie in Arabia, hee was a Martyre, he was a great …. Prudentius maketh mention of great heapes of Mart…res burned by 60. … saith, that Hipolitus was drawne with … horses through fields, …

Go…ianus succ…ded; Maximinus and Phillip succeeded him, and … two Emperours were Christned with their Families and conuerted by Fabianus Bishop of Rome and Origen. Phillip▪ with his Sonne▪ was … Captaines, because the Emperours had commit…ed th… treasures vntounto …bianus.

¶The seauenth Persecution.

DEcius hauing slaine the former Emperours, inuaded the Crown…, in the yeare250 50. who … a terrible Persecution against the Christians.

Fabianus was made Bishop of Rome, by lighting of a Doue vponupon him in the Congregation, p. 10which was minded to elect some Noble … and was put to death by Decius, who proclamed the … of Christians, Origen wrote of the rightuous… of his Faith… Origen taught and … and sustained … persecutions. Under Decius be … with bats of …, and death and … part of Scripture, … of the 46. Psalme; Why dost thou preach my Iustification, and why dost thou take my Testament in thy mouth? ….

…

In his time Alexanderines Bishop of … ▪ where he had … 40. yeares, and was brought from thence of Casaria, and died therein prison. M…zananes succeeded him the 36. Bishop after Iames.

Babilas Bishop of …n…och resisted an Emperour, who against his promise had … a Kings sonne … suffer him to … to the Temple of the Christian…s … was … by him his body was … into the Sub…bs of … the Christians, as s…tte as his body taken out of the Temp…e, … with fire.

In Decius his … 40. Uirgine suffered in Antioch, one Peter … one Andrew, one Paul…on…, one Nichomachus an… Dionisia a virgin were … and … Chr…stians were led from … Cappadocta, Germanus, Theophilus, Cesarius, and Vitalis suffered Martyrdome, and Policronios Bishop of Bathlon, and Nesto… Bishop of … Olimpiades and Maximus; in … Anatolia a virgin, and Aud…x … the Faith.

In his time diuerse suffered in Alexandria before the … sayer … vp the people▪ first, they … a Priest, beat him with … him in the face and eyes with …, and them stoned him. … tooke Quinta a faithful… … through the … vponupon the hard stones, dashed … against … then they spoyled all the Christians, … the citie, and tooke the They tooke Apollima an ancient Uirgin rashed out all her teeth, made a fire … she would deny Chr…st; but she … suddenly into the … and was burned. They tooke one Serapion, and broke almost all the … and cast him from an vpper oft, so he dyed, shortly after came the … against the Christians, wherevpon the Persecution grew more ….

Cromon and Iulianus were laid vponupon Camels, and whipped, then cast into thy … for the testimony of Iesus; a Soldier tooke part with them going to Mart…, and was beheader; also … was burned, and Epimacus and Alexander, hauing suffred bands and torments with … scourges, were burned with 4. women, Ammonarion a holy virgin, Marcuria an aged Mat…on, and Dionisia mother of many faire children, after many torments, were slaine by the …word. Horon and …odorus Egyptian…, were grieuously tormented and then burned; there was one Dioscorus of their company but …5. yeares old, whe… the Iudge … for his … age, being … at his ….

N…mesian an Egypt…an was accused of theft and purg…d, and then was … of p. 11Christianitie and was more grieuously scourged then the théeues, and then was burned.

Amnon Zenon, Ptolomeus, Ingenius Souldiers, and an old man Theophilus, they séeing a Christian fearing to confesse his Faith, incouraged him by signes and being noted and ready to be taken; they pressed to the Tribunall Seate, and confessed themselues to be Christians; whereat the Iudges and their Assistants were greatly amased, and the Christians imboldened, and they departed glad for the testimony they had giuen. Ischrion often moued of his Master to doe Sacrifice, and refusing, he runne him through with a speare.

In this time many wandred in wildernesse, suffered hunger, colde, danger of wilde beasts. Clerimon Bishop of Nilus, an olde man, with his wife, flying to the mountaine of Arabia, could neuer be found againe.

Dionisius Alexandrinus suffered much a…fl…ction, and had strange deliuerances. First, the messenger was struck…n blinde & could not finde his house, after which three daies, God had him flye; after, comming to Ierusalem, he was taken, the Keeper was from home when he was brought to Prison, and the Keeper returning home and finding diuerse runne away, he ranne away himselfe, and tolde the matter to one he met going to a Mariage, who tolde it to them at the wedding, who in the night rushed towards the pri…oners with great shouting, they that kept the prisoners were afraid and left them, then the company willed them to depart, and they t…ke Dionisius, set him vponupon an Asse, and conueyed him away.

In this time suffered one Christopherus a Cananite, 12. cubits high; also Meneates a Florentine, and Agatha a holy virgine in Sicily, who suffered imprisonment, was be…ten, racked, famished, rayled on, tormented with sharpe shels and … co…es, and her breasts were cut from her body. Amongst others also suffered 40. virgines by diuerse k…nds of deathes; Triphon a very holy and constant man of Nice, after much torments, suffered death by the sword.

Decius erected a Temple at Ephesus, and compelled all the citie to dee Sacrifice; 7. of his Souldiers refused, and they hi… themselues in Mount Celius in caues; the Emperour caused them to be rammed vp with stones, and so they w…re Martired.

Hieronimus writeth of a godly Souldier, which could not be brought from his Faith, was brought into a pleasant Garden, laid vponupon a soft bed, and an Harlot sent to allure him, she offering to kisse him▪ he bit off her tongue and …pit it in her face.

Theodora a virgine, was commanded to the Stewes, a young man, a Christian, caused her to change garments with him, and conuey herselfe away, and offering himselfe to their violence, being found a man, he confessed himselfe a Christian, and was condemned to suffer, Theodora offered herselfe to the Iudge, and desired that the other might be discharged, he commanded them both to be beheaded, and cast into the fire.

Agathon was condemned to lose his head for rebuking them that derived the dead bodies of Christians.

One Paulus, and one Andreas, were scourged, drawne through the citie, and aftrer troden to death vnderunder the féete of people; also Iustinus a Priest of Rome, and Nicostratus a Deacon, and Portius a Priest of Rome, which is reported to hauehave conuerted the Emperour Phillip, were all Martyred.

Secundarius, as he was led to the Iaile, Verianus & Marcellinus asked whether they led the innocent, whereupon they were taken▪ and after torments and beatings with waisters, were hanged, with fire put to their sides; but the Tormentors some fell sodainly dead, others were possessed with euill Spirits.

Beza registers these to suffer in this Tyrants time, Hipolitus, Concordia, Hierenius, Abundus, Victoria a virgin being Nobles or Antioch: Belias Bishop of Apollinia; Leacus, Tyrsus, and Galmetus, Naza…zo, Triphon, Phillas, Bishop of Philocomus; Philocronius Bishop of Babilon, Thesiphon Bishop of Pamphilia, Nestor Bishop of Corduba, Parmeuius Priest, Circensis, Marianus, and Iacobus, Nemesianus, Felix, Rogatianus Priest Felicissimus, Iouinius, Basilius, Ruffina and Secunda virgins, Tertullianus Valerianus, Nemesius, Sempronianus, Olimpiadus, Teragone, Zeno Bishop of Cesaria, Marinus, Archinius, Priuatus Bishop, Theodorus Bishop of Pontus, Pergentius and Laurencius children, suffered Persecution in Tuscia.

p. 12Many reuolted, as Serapion▪ Nichomachus in the middest of his torments, Euaristus Bishop of Africa, Nicoftratus a Deacon, diuerse of them were punished by Gods hand, some with euill spirits, some with strange diseases.

At this time rose the heresie of Nouatus, he disturbed Cyprian Bishop of Carthage, and Cornelius Bishop of Rome, he was assisted with Maximus, Vrbanus, Sidonius, and Celerius, but they forsooke him: after he allured three simple Bishops in …taly to lay their hands on him to make him Bishop of Rome, with Coruelius, whom by all meanes he sought to defeate, and made the people that came to receiue the Eucharist▪ swea…e they would stand with him.

Two young men, Aurelius, which was twise tormented, and Mapalicus in the middest of his torments, told the Proconsull, to morrow you shall see the running for a wager, meaning his Ma…tyrdome.

Decius the Emperour raigned but two yeares, and with his sonne, was slaine of the Barbarians; presently God sent a ple…ue 10 yeares together, which made diuerse p…aces desolate, especially where the Persecution most raigned the Christians comforted and ministred vntounto their sicke brethren, the Infidels forsooke their neighbours and friends, and left them destitute of succour, vponupon this Plague Ciprian wrote his Booke, De mortalitate.

Vibias Gallus▪ and Volusian his sonne, by treason, succeeded Decius.

Gallus at the first was quiet, anone after published Edicts against Christians; Cyprian Bishop of Carthage was banished, others were condemned to the Mines, as Nemisianus, Fex, Lucius, with their Bishops, Priests and Deacons▪ to whom, and to Seagrius and Rogatianus Cyprian wrote consolatory Epistles: Lucius Bishop of Rome was banished, whom Cornelius succeeded, but a while after hee returned againe to his Church, and Stephanus succéeded him, and sate 7. yeares, 5. monethe, and died a Martyre, betwixt him end Cyprian fell a contention about rebaptizing of Hereticks.

Emilianus slew the former Emperours, and succéeded himselfe, after 3. moneths he was slaine, and Valerius and Galienus his sonne succeeded him.

Valerius 3. or 4. yeares was so cut…eous to Christians, as no Emperour before him, that his Court was full of Christians, but he was seduced by an Egyptian Magitian, finding himselfe hindred by them, from the practising of his charmes, hée brought the Emperour to Idols, he Sacrificed Infants, and reised the eight Persecution.

¶The eight Persecution.

CIprian was an African borne in Carthage, an Idolater, and giuen to Magicke, he was conuerted to the Faith, by Ceci…a Priest, by hearing the Prophet Ionas, as sOOne as he was conuerted, he gaue his goods to the poore: not long after he was Priest, he was bishop of Carthage, he had the gouernment of the whole East Church▪ and Church of Spaine, he was called the Bishop of Christian men: he loued to read Tertullian, and called him his Master. In the time of Decius and Gallus he was banished, in the time of Valerianus he returned againe: but after, he was found in a Carden, and his head stricken off. At this time Zistus Bishop of Rome, with sixe of his Deacons, more beheaded: one Laurence a Deacon, seeing the bishop goe to execution, cryed to him, Deare Father, whether goest thou without thy deare sonne? He answered, within three daies thou shalt suffer in more painefull manner then I, which fell out accordingly: for Laurence hauing distributed the goods of the poore, by the charge of the bishop, the Emperour hearing thereof, commaunded him to render the Treasure to him▪ but after thrée daies respite, in sleede thereof, hee presented vntounto him a sort of poore Christians, as the Treasure of the Church; whereupon hee commaunded Laurence to bee broyled on a gridyron, where after hee had suffered a great space, hee said this side is rosted enough, turne vp Tyrant, try whether rosted or raw be bettermeate. A Souldier of Rome was conuerted to the Faith by the constant pro…ion of this Laurence, and desired to be baptized of him, but the Iudge called him, and scourged, and be headed him.

p. 13At this time suffered Dionisius Bishop of Alexandria, he was banished and scourged, then remoued to a more strait place; one Gaius, one Petrus, and one Paulus were afflicted with him notwithstanding; Maximus, Dioscorus, Demetrius, and Lucius, visited the brethren, also Eusebius suffered affliction for the truth, who after was Bishop of …aodicia: Faustus long after being an oldman, was beheaded▪ but Dionisius suruiued all these troubles and in great age departed in peace, after he had gouerned the Church of Alexandria 17. yeares, and taught Schoole there 16. yeares, and Maximus succeeded him.

In the same time Priscus, Marcus, and Alexander, who stepyed to the Iudge, and declared themselues Christians, with a woman, were giuen to wilde beasts.

In Carthage were 300. martyred in a Lime kill for refusing, because they would not Sacrifice to lupiter.

Maxima, Donatilla, and Secunda, three Uirgins, after cruell torments, were giuen to beasts, which refused to touch them, then they were beheaded; also one Pontius after diuerse torments, was giuen to beasts, who refusing to touch him▪ he was burned at which time Claudius his Iudge with Anabius his assistant, were taken with wicked Spirits, and bit off their owne tongues, and died.

The same time Zeno Bishop of Uerona was Martyred; one Phillippus President of Alexandria came downe with his Wife, two Sons, and his Daughter Eugenia she with two E…nuches, Prothus and Hiacintus, were conuerted to Christianitie; she put on the apparell of a man to a…ide trouble, and to heare Helenus Bishop, and named herselfe Eugenius. Malena a Marton of Alexandria fell in lou… with her, end séeing that by no meanes she could obtaine her sute, she made an outcry, saying that Eugenius went about to de…lowre her, and accused her to Phillippus, so shee was forced to manifest her selfe to her Father; after, she wonne him and other of her kindred, to the Faith, her Father was after Martyred: after, shee returned to Rome with her Eunuches, and conuerted Basilla, who was beheaded after sundry torments.

In the sixt yeare of Valerianus, Victor and Victorinus, with Claudianus and Bossa his wife, after thrée yeares imprisonment, and diuerse torments, were put to death.

Fructuosus Bishop of Tarraconia, with his two Deacons Augurius and Eulogius, at their execution, their hands bound behinde them vnloosed, and the fire flewe from them▪ vntill they had prayed▪ at which time a certaine Souldier did sée the Heauens open, and the Martyres entred in; which sight he shewed to the Daughter of Emilianus the President.

This Emperour Valerianus, after he had raigned, with his Sonne, about sixe yeares, and afflicted the Christians two yeares, was taken of Sapres King of the Persians, who made him alwaies his footstoole to get vppon his horse till hee dyed.

At the same time, amongst the Romaines, there happenned 30. Earthquakes together, whereupon the Persecution was moderated: yet some …uffered, as Marinus, a Noble-man, he was accused to be a Christian of him that should succeede him; the Iudge gaue him three dayes to aduise himselfe, but being incouraged by Theodi…tus Bishop of Cesaria, hee presented himselfe to the Iudge, by whose Sentence he was beheaded.

Galienus succeeded Valerianus, and Claudius succeeded him. Vincentius maketh mention of 262. Martyres that suffered vnderunder him: Quintilianus succeeded him after Aurelianus, vnderunder whom was moued the ninth Persecution.

¶The ninth Persecution.

AS Aurelianus was subscribing the Edict against Christians,278. he was terrified with …ghtning▪ and about the 6. yeare of his raigne was slaine, yet Vincentius and Orosius reckon vp a great number of Martyres which suffered vnderunder him in Fraunce and Italy.

Publius Annins Tacitus succeeded Aurelianus, and raigned 6. moneths; his brother p. 14Florianus succéeded him 60. daies. Marcus Aurelius succéeded him, surnamed Probus; he moued no Persecution: after he had raigned 6 yeares, 4. Moneths, because, by reason of Peace, he had no worke for his Souldiers, therefore he was slaine. Carus with his two Sonnes, Carinus and Numerianus succéeded him 3. yeares Numerianus kil… Cerillus, for not suffering him to enter into the congregation of the Christians, he being their Bishop; he was slaine of his Father. Dioclesian succeeded; vntill the 19. yeare of his raigne the Church was quiet, which quiet…sse had indured 44. yeares; the Church grew mightily, and the chiefe of them in fauour with the Emperour, were Derotheus and Gorgotheus, and diuerse moe. The Church began to were wanton with Peace, and to build large Churches, but their desolutenes broght on them the tenth persecution.

¶The tenth Persecution.

VVHilst Dioclesian abstained from Persecuting, he obtained diuerse victories, and being proud thereof, he would be worshipped as a God, calling himselfe brother of the Sunne and Moone, inioyned the people to kisse his feete, and in the 19. yeare of his raigne he moued Persecution, he commaunded the Churches of Christians to be destroyed, and the Scriptures to be burned; put Christians from Magistracie, and constrained them with torments to offer to Idols.

After the Proclamation of the Edict, a Noble-man, a Christian openly rent it in pieces, for which act he was put to most bitter death.

Dioclesian began with his Campe, willed the Christians to lay away their weapons, and giuegive ouer their charges, which they did willingly. At Tyre there were Christians giuen to cruell beasts: preserued miracul…usly, though they were kept hungry of purpose; they raged against those that brought the Christians, and deuoured them they could catch, therefore they were beheaded, and cast into the Sea.

At that time was Martyred the Bishop of Sidon, but Siluanus Bishop of Gazen…s, with 39. others, were slaine in the Mettie-mines; thon Pamphilius an Elder, and the glory of the Church of Cesaria, whom Eusebius writeth of, was Martyred. All the Bishops and Teachers in Syria were imprisoned; Tyrannion throwne to fishes, Arnobius a Physition, slaine with brickbats, some drowned themselues rather then they would worship Idols, Siluanus Bishop of Emissa, with others were throwne to wilde beasts.

In Mesopotamia the Christians were hanged by the feete, and choked with smoke: in Cappadocia their legs were broken, in Cilicia Taragus, Probus, and Andronious Martyred: the Persecution was so outragious, that they refrained not from the slaughter of the Emperours children, & the chiefest Princes of his Court, amongst whom was one Peter of the Houshold whom the King did louelove as his owne childe, after cruell torments, he was whipped to the bones, powdered with salt and vineger, and …ofled with a fire. Dorotheus and Gorgonius séeing it, reproued the Emperour, and confessed they were Christians; wherefore, though they were in great authoritie, they were almost tormented as he, and strangled.

Anthonius Bishop of Nicomedia, and Lucianus, and a great company of …artyrs were beheaded. Dioclesian beheaded his owne wife Serena.

Elampia, Agapen, Irenea, Cronia, and Anastachia were burned, 2000. Christians were burned in one Temple: In Arabia many Martyres were slaine with …xes: I… Phrigia, a whole Citie of Christians compassed, set on fire, and burned: In Melitina, the Bishop and Elders were cast into prison.

A Sheriffe in doing execution vponupon the Christians was conuerted, and confessed himselfe a Christian, and after diuerse strange torments, was burned. Eugenius, Auxentius, Marderius, were Martyred: In Egypt, Pelus and Nilus Bishops, were Martyred, the rage was great in Alexandria the Bishop thereof and Elders, Faustus, Didius, Ammonius, Phildas, Hefichius, and Theodorus, with many other were Martyred.

(6660. Souldiers, being Christians, vnderunder the Christian Captaine Mauritius, lying at … in Egypt, refusing to worship Images, died altogether constant in the Faith. Ascla, Phremon & Apolinius with diuerse Christians, were martyred at Anteno, in Scilia were 79. put to death▪ in Calcedon Euphenea was martired, in Rome, Iohn & Crispus p. 15Priests, at Babem… Agricola and Vitalis, at Aquilia the Emperour commaunded … man to kil the Christians, where Felices and Fortunatus was killed, Victor suffered at … Belua…ns Lucian suffered.

In Spaine was great persecution as at Emerita, Eulalia, Adula, Vincensia, Sabina, and Christiana suffered; Leucadia virgin, Augusta, and 18. besides were martyred. Where was such Persecution at …re…rs by the riuer Mosella, that …he blood of Christians … like a little Brooke, and coloured by Riuer; Hors…men … to kill the Christians: Agripina and Augusta were ….

In … all the Christians were destroyed, no tongue … the deathe and … that this Tyrant vsed, hanging them by one hand, … them▪ and … but not to death: but eueryevery day. Eusebius saith, he saw the the … of the pesecutors blunt with often slaughter, themselues for wearinesse sit downe and …; but the Martyres nothing … were patient for Chr…sts sake.

Miletus Bishop of … gaue backe, wherefore Peter Bishop of … so did Marcellus Bishop of Rome, wh…refore he was … and was Martyard.

In 30. dayes were … 17000 Martyres, besides many that … There were Mariy…d at Alexandria. 300. … 120. more Martyres.

This Persecution endured vntill about the 7. yeare of Constantius; at length, being out of hope to ex…inguish them, the slaughter ceased▪ yet they … many, and put 360. Regmus … the eyes of … and condemned many to the ….

After Dioclesian and Maximi…anus had raigned about …. yeares th…y… vp the Empier, and the Empire remained with Constantius, and Gal…ius Maxeminus. Maxeminus presecuted the Persecution about 7. yeares, vnt… the years 318. but Constantius …ather …auoured the Christians …and to try … Cour…iers he …eigned in Sacrifice to …, and commaunced his Houshold so to d…e, and finding a number that constantly refused …e cherished them and … them to great places, and refused the back…ders.

Maximinus vsed great cruceltie in the East Churches … God stayed his rage by sending him … a bothe as pu…fied his …trals, from whence came inumerable multitudes whereupon he published Edicts of Peace to the Christians and desired them to pray for him, but 6. monethes after he set out con…rary of … and … them to be… … so Persecution rose againe as great as before.

Siluanus, Lucianus, Petrus Bishop, Querinus Bishop, Marcellus, T…mothe, Victorianus, Symphocrianus, Castorius, Cast…us, Cesarius, Me…ous, Nobilis Dorotheus, Gorgamus, Pet…us vntounto inumerable Martyris; Iuliana, Cosmus Damanus Basileus, with …eauen others, Dorathca, Theophilus. Theodosia Vita… is, Agricola, …cha, Philemon, Hireneus, Januarius, Festus, Di…iderius, Grigorius, Spolitanus, Agap…s, Cro…ia, Hirenea. …heodora, with 270. others. Florianus▪ Prinius, Felicia…, Vitus, Modestus, Crescentia, A…binus, Rogatianus, Donatianus, … Catharina, Margareta. Lucia … A…theus the King with 3700. Simplicius Faust…s, Beatrix, Panthaleon, Grigor…ns, Iustus, Leocandia, Anthonia, with infir…. Felix Victor, with his parents, Lucia widdowe, Germinianus, with 79. others; Anastacia, C…ogonus, Felix, Audactus, Adrianus Nathalia, Agnes of 13. yeares olde, these … many other were then Martyred.

The Emperour in his Edict declared what plently they enioyed when they adored their ….

As … as that Persecution began, there was a miserable F…mine a…d Pestilence, wherein the Christians (to their power) re…ued the Gentiles, whereby grewe some yeare.

… a Christian woman, whose husband they had killed to satisfie the filthy desire of the Emperour, shee killed her selfe rather then she would so doe.

He banished a Noble woman of Rome, because she gaue her goods to the Church.

The people of Rome, wearied with the vil…any of Maxentius, …quired ayd… Constantine, he gathered an Armie in Fraunce and Brita…ne, and being in …, looking vp to Heauen about the going downe of the Sunne, he sawe a brightnesse like acrosse, with p. 16Starres of equall bignesse, with this inscription, In hoc vince. Eusebius Pamphilus reporteth he heard Consta…tine often affirme it; In the …, Christ appeared vntounto him with the signe of the same Crosse, b…ding …im make the figure thereof and carry it before him in his warres, and he should hau… v…ctory; whereupon he … towards Max…ntius, who not being able to sustaine Constantines …orce, and … …o the C…tie, was ouerthrowne of his horse in the floud, and …owned, and so ended th… last Persecution, he gaue li…ertie, by Procl…mation, to Christians …o prolesse their Religion: Di…clesian hea…ing her…of, dyed for sorr…w some say he poysoned ….

Licinius first …oyned with Constan…ne, and …onqu…red Maximinus a great … in the West, who killed his Charm…rs that … him …o warre, and … with a disease, he glorified the God of the Christians, and made a Lawe for their ….

Licinius called Learning▪ the poyson of the common wealth, and said it was a … for a Prince to be learned; he said, the Christians prayed for Constant… … and not for him, therefore he persecuted them, first in his owne Court, them in the … he rased many Churches to the ground, he hanged Theodorus on a Crosse, thr…st nayles into his a…me pits then strucke off his head, He put to death Basilius Bishop, Nicl…olaus Bishop Grig…r…us of Armenia the great Paul of … whose …ands were … off …ith a …earing Iron, in Sebast…a he drowned 40. Souldiers in a horse Pond, the wiues of these 40. with Ammones a Deacon, after inumerable torments were sla…e with th… sword.

Diuerse b…t…els were sought betwéene Licinius and Constantine first in Hungary, where he was ou…r throwne, in Macedonia, where he fled and …ep…yred his Arm…, and being vanquished by Sea and Land, he yeelded to Costantine, and was comm…d… liue a priuate life but he was killed by the Souldiers in the yeare 324.324. Constantius …he father of Constantine dyed in the yeare 310▪ and wee buried at Yorke.

A…bon, the fi…st that su…red Martyrdome in England, he was conuer…d by A… phibolus, a persecuted Clarke which he lo…ged; the Prince hearting thereof, sent out … for him, Albon came to the Souldiers who brought him to the Iudge, and … would not sacrifice to Diuels, after he was grieuo…sly scourged he was beheaded, the Clarke fled into Wales, where he was set and made to runne about a Stake, his b…lly being opened, whilst … owels were drawne out, hee was stabbed with waggers, and after stoned, this was Anno 301.

It is to be noted that England was no… touched with any of the nine Persecutions, but onelyonly with the tenth, in which almost all Christiantie was in the … ex…inguished.

Galerius threatning the Christians in Antioch, Romanus a Noble man encouraged them he was strangely tormented, he requ…red the Tyrant that a childe should be presented vntounto him, he asked the childe whether it was …ore reason…ble to serue one God rath…r th…n …umerable; the Childe answered the Tyrant, that one God was to be worshipped; the Tyrant scourged the Childe, and pulled off the skinne of his head, the mother being by, exhorted the Childe to patience, the Childe was beheaded, and Romanus cast in the fire, which when it would not burne him, hee was …angled in prison.

Gordius a Centurion liued in the Desert a long time, but at a …eest of Mars he got vponupon the highest p…ace of the Thea…or, and v…tered himselfe to all the people to bee a Christian; after many torments, he was …urned. Menas likewise▪ a Souldier, con…essed himselfe a Christi…n in Colis, and af…er diuerse torments, wa… beheaded.

Basilius writeth of 40. Martyres, young Gentlemen, professing themselues Christians, they were caused to stand in winter in a Pond all night, and in the morning bnrne….

Nicephorus reporteth of 40. Martyres drowned in a Ponde at Sebestia.

Cirus a Poysition, with one Ioannes, led a solitary life in Arabia in Persecu…ion, they hearing of the imprisonment of Athanasia with her three daughters, Theo…ste, Theodota, and Eudoxa, they came to confi…me them, and being accused, and would not doe Sacr…fice, they were put to death.

Sebastian, Lieutenant or Diaclesian, was accused to the Emperour for encouraging p. 17diuers Martyres: he was brought into the Fielde, and of his owne Souldiers shot through with innumerable Darts, after threw his body into a Iakes. Nicostratus, with Zoe his Wife: Tranquillinus, with Martia his Wife; Traglianus, Claudius, Castor, Tiburtus, Castullus, Marcus, and Marcellus, with others moe suffered with him.

Barla, a Nobleman, whom Basilius mentions in a Sermon, after many torments he was sacrificed on an Altar of their Idols, they put Fire and Incense into his hand, thinking he would scatter it vponupon the Altar, and so hauehave sacrificed, but the fire burning about his hand, it endured as if it had béene couered about with Embers, he saying the Psalme, Blessed is my God which teacheth in hands to fight.

Vincentius was so racked, that all the ioynts of his body cracked, then there was many wounds made in his body, then his flesh was combed with Iron Combes, sharply filed, then they scourged him, then they laid his body vponupon an Iron Grate, and opened it with Hooks, then they seared it with diuers plates, sprinkling the same with hot Salt, then they drew him into a Dungeon sprinkled with sharpe shels, and locked his féete in the stockes.

Philoronimus forsooke great possessions for Christ, and was beheaded, and neither Friends, Wife, or Children could moue him: also, Procopius being conuerted, brake his Siluer Images, and gaue them to the poore, after gréeuous torments, his hands and féet being cut off he was beheaded: so was Grigotius a young man vsed.

Panthion, Theodorus, and Gerion, with 318. were martyred, Hermogines, Eugraphus, Samonas, Gurias, Abilus, Hieron, Indes, Dominas, with two thousand were martired. Enclasius and Maximinius, whom Fausta the Uirgin conuerted in her torments: also, Thusus, Lucius, Callinicus, Apollonius, Philemon, Asilas, Leonides, Arianus, Cyprian Byshop of Antioch, before his conuersion being a Magitian, suffered with Iustina a Uirgine. Glicerius, Felix, Fortunatus, Achileus, Arthemius, Ciriacus, Anthonius, Marcellinus, Cucusatus, Barcimonia, Felix Byshop, Audactus, Ianuarius, Fortunatus, Septimus, these suffered vnderunder Dioclesian. Cassianus was stabbed of his Schollers with Iron Pen… wherewith they vsed to write. Eulalia was shut vp of her Parents, least she should be cause of her death, shee brake out in the night, came to the Iudge, confessed her selfe a Christian, and reprooued the cruelty of the Iudge, and their vanity in worshipping Images, she threw downe the Idols, and scattered the Incense when she was brought to worship them; she had one ioynt pulled from another, her flesh was scraped off with clawes of beasts to the bones, she reioysing and praising God, they seared her breasts with torches: when they had caught her haire, which hanged downe to her féet and couered her shame, shee opened her mouth ouer the flame and died.

Agnes, a Romaine virgine, not marriageable, for her constancy in Christ was condemned to be committed to the common Stewes, and Younkers appointed to assayle her, whom when she refused, she was tied to a corner of a stréet naked: one beholding the Uirgine with vnchast eyes, was striken with lightning, his eies dashed out of his head, whom Agnes prayed for and restored: after …he was beheaded, she preferred the sight of her Executioners more, then of her louers. There are many myracles reported of her.

Katherine openly resisted the Emperor Maxentius to his face, and rebuked him of his cruelty, after she had felt the racke, and the fouresharp cutting wheeles, she was beheaded.

Iulitta sued to the Emperor for goods wrongfully detained from her, her aduersary accused her of Christianity, being commanded to doe sacrifice with Incense, shee refused it, and encouraged others, and was burned.

Barbara, a Noble woman suffering cruell torments, as cords, and burning of her sides, was lastly beheaded for her Faith.

Fausta, Iuliana, Anisia, Iustina, Lucia, Agatha, and Tecla, with all holy Uirgines, suffered in the tenth Persecution. …aius succéeded Xistus B. of Rome: Marcellinus, Marcellus, Eusebius were Byshops afterward, and then Miltiades, which was the last Bishop of Rome that was martyred: These all were Martyrs. Sapores King of Persia put to death, Acyndiuus, Pegasius, Anempodistus, Epidephorus, Simeon p. 18Arch-byshop of Seleu…ia, C…esiphon B. in Persia, with other religious men. 128.

Symon, chéefe Bishop of Persia, was accused by the Magitians, as he was leading to Prison: V…hazares, who was the Kings Schoole-maister, and had fallen from Christianity, who sitting at the Kings Gate, rose vp and reuerenced him, but Simion rebuked him with sharpe words, which made him put on mourning wéeds, sit wéeping at the gate; saying, what hope hauehave I of God when my familiar friend Simion disdaineth me, which being knowne to the King, and he confessing himselfe a Christian, the King commaunded he should be beheaded: He desired of the King to certifie that he died for nothing but Christianity, which he obtained; Simion being in prison, and hearing of it, reioyced, and the next day suffered with an 100. more.

Pusices, séeing an old Father shrinke in the sight of the Martyr…, said; shut thine eies, be strong, and shortly thou shalt sée God, wherefore the King caused an hole to be made in his necke, and thereout pulled his tongue, and so he was put to death, and his Daughter, a Uirgine, died with him in Christs cause, the number of them that were martyred in Persia, was 15000. This comming to Constantines eares, mooued him, he graunted Sapores his Ambassadors all they requested, thinking thereby to mooue him to fauour the Christians, and wrote to them to take compassion on the Innocents, and shewed how the hand of God had béene against Tyrants of the Church.

Beniamin, for preaching Christ, was thrust vnderunder the nailes with twenty sharpe prickes, when hee laughed at it, a sharpe Réede was thrust into his yard, and a long thorny stalke vp into his body vntill hee died. Under Iulianus Apostata, Emilianus was burned, Domitius was slaine in his Caue: Theodorus singing a Psalme, was tormented from morning to night, hardly escaped with life, and being asked how hee could abide the torments, said, at first I felt some paine, but after there stood a young man by me, who so refreshed me, that it greeued me more when I was let down from the Ingine then before.

The Arethusians of Syria, tooke a company of Uirgines, Christians, whom first they set sorth naked to bee scorned of the multitude, then shaued them, then couered them with draffe, and caused them to bee deuoured of Swine, their cruelty was the greater, because Constantine restrained them, from defiling Uirgines, and destroyed the Temple of Venus.

Marcus Arethusius, because, at the commaundement of Constantine, he pulled down a Temple of Idols, and builded a Church for Christians in the place, they stripped him naked, and beat him gréeuously, then put him in a filthy sincke, then they caused Boyes to thrust him in with sharpe stickes, then they annointed him with Hony and Broath, and hung him in the Sunne as meat for Waspes and Flyes, then they required somewhat towards the building of the Temple againe: he answered, it were as great impiety to conferre one halfe-peny to a matter of impiety, as a great summe.

Constantine raigned about thirty yeares: he was borne in Brittaine, his Mothers name was Helena, Daughter of King Coilus; hee trauailed greatly for the peace of Christians, he set peace amongst the Byshops at dissention; hee made prouision for Preachers, and caused all to bee restored vntounto the Christians that was taken from them by Persecutors. He wrote to his chéefe Captaine, that Ministers should be fréed from all publique duties and burthens: He wrote to Eusebius for the edifying of new Churches, and after he had gathered the Nicene Councel, for the vnity of the Church, he writeth to Alexander and Arius for the same intent.

He inioyned a Prayer to his Souldiers in stead of Catechisme. We knowledge thee onelyonly to be our GOD, we confesse thee onelyonly to bee our King, we call vponupon thée our onelyonly helper, by thée we obtaine our victories, by thee we vanquish our enemies, to thee be attributed whatsoeuer commodities we presently enioy: by thee we hope for good thinges to come, vntounto thee we direct all our sutes and petitions, most humbly befeeching thee to keepe Constantinus our Emperour, and his Noble Children to continue in long li…e, and to giuegive them victory ouer their enemies, through Iesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

p. 19He graunted great immunities vntounto the Ministers that they might appeale from the ciuill Iudge to their Byshop, whose sentence was of as great value as if the Emperor had pronounced it.

He prouided maintenance for liberall Sciences and Arts, for the Prosessors, there Wiues and Children, and gaue them great immunities. He wrote to Eusebius Byshop of Nicomedia, to procure fifty Uolumes of Parchment well bound, and cause to bee written out of the Scripture therein in a leageable hand, such things as were profitable for the instruction of the Church, allowed him two Ministers for the businesse: he was a Father to the Church, and inforced himselfe eueryevery way to set forth the Gospell, and to suppresse the contrary.

The end of the tenth Persecution.