The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ, Book 1 · History of century 3

The History of the Church Since the Days of Christ · Book 1 · History of century 3

p. 29CENTVRIE III.

Severus.

AFter Pertinax and Iulian, Severus governed seventeene yeares,The fift persecution. Anno. Chr. 205. Euseb. lib. 6 cap. 12. and eight months. Eusebius reckoneth onelyonly twelue yeares. He stirred vp the fift persecution against the Christians. The crimes obiected against the Christians besides those that were obiected in the former persecution, were these: Rebellion against the Emperour, sacriledge, murthering of Infants, worshipping of the Sunne, and worshipping the head of an Asse: which last calumny was forged against them by the malice of the Iewes. This persecution raged most severely in the townes of Alexandria and Carthage,Euseb. lib. 6 cap. 1 Leonides the father of Origen. like as the former persecutions had done in Lyons and Vienne in France. Leonides the father of Origen was beheaded: his sonne being but young in yeares; exhorted his father to persevere in the faith of Christ constantly vntounto the death. Potamiae a young beautiful virgin in Alexandria, was by the Iudge condemned to death, and delivered to a Captaine called Basilides, who stayed the insolency of the people that followed her to the place of execution, with outrage of slanderous and rayling wordes,The conversion of Basilides. crying out against her: for this cause shee prayed to God for the conversion of Basilides to the true faith, and was heard of God, in so much, that hee was not onelyonly converted to the faith of Christ,Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 5. Alexander fellow labourer with Narcissus Euseb. l. 6. c. 39. but also sealed it vp with his blood, and had the honour of martyrdome. Alexander who was a fellow labourer with Narcissus in Ierusalem, escaped many dangers, yet was he martyred in the dayes of Decius the 7. great persecuter. Of this Emp erour the Senate of Rome sayd, Aut non nasti, aut non p. 30mori debuisse, that is, Either he should never hauehave been born, or else should never hauehave tasted of death. So it pleased the Lord by his wife dispensation to suffer the dayes of Traian, Antoninus Philosophus, and Severus, Emperours renowned in the world to be more cruell against their owne people, then the dayes of Nero, Domitian, Caligula, or Commodus, Note.to the end of the poor Church might learne to be content to be spoiled of all outward comfort, and to leane vponupon the staffe of the consolations of God onelyonly. Many that were brought vp in the Schooles of Origen, suffered martyrdome, such as Plutarchus, Serenus, Heraclides, Heron, and another having the name of Serenus also.Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 4. Rhais a Martyr burnt before she was baptized. Euseb. ibid. Among women Rhais was burned with fire for Christs sake, before shee was baptized with water in Christs name. Innumerable moe Martyrs were slaine for the faith of Christ, whose names in perticular no Ecclesiasticall writer ever was able to comprehend, therefore it shal suffice to heare the names of a few. The rest whose names are not expressed, enioy the crownes of incorruptible glory, as well as those doe, whose names are in all mens mouthes. It is the comfort of our hearts to remember that the Apostles & Evangelists sealed vp with their blood the doctrine which they naught and committed to writ, and no other doctrine: and the holy Martyrs immediately after the Apostles dayes, sealed vp with the glorious testimony of their blood, that same faith which we now professe, and which they received from the hands of the Apostles, but they were not so prodigall of their liues to giuegive their blood for the doctrine of worshipping of Images, invocation of Saints, plurality of Mediators, of intercession, the sacrifice of the Masse, both propitiatory and vnbloody, expresly against the wordes of the Apost le, Heb. 9. ver. 22. and such other heads of doctrine vnknowne to antiquity. The Romane Church in our dayes is a persecuting and not a persecuted Church, fruitfull in murthers, and not in martyrdomes, glorying of antiquity, and following the forgery of new invented religion.The death of Sevetus. This Emperour Severus was slaine at Yorke by the Northerne men and Scots.

p. 31Bassianus and Geta.

SEverus who was slaine at Yorke, left behinde him two sonnes, Bassianus and Geta. Bassianus flew his brother, and raigned himselfe alone six yeeres, so that the whole time of his government both with his brother and alone, was 7. yeeres 6. moneths.Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 21. Hee put to death also Papinianus a worthie Lawyer, because hee would not plead his cause concerning the slaughter of his brother, before the people, but said that sinne might be more easily committed then it could be defended.Note. Bucole. He tooke to wife his owne mother in law Iulia, a woman more beautifull then chaste. In all his time (as hee confessed with his owne mouth) hee never learned to doe good,The death of Bassinus. and was slaine by Macrinus.

Macrinus with his son Diadumenus.

MAcrinus and his sonne raigned onelyonly one yeere. Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 21.

Antoninus Heliogabalus.

ANtoninus Heliogabalus, Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 21. Funct. chron.raigned after Macrinus 4. yeeres. He was a prodigious belly-god, a libidinous beast, an enemy to all honesty and good order. So many villanous things are written of him, that scarcely (if the Reader can giuegive credit to the history) ever such a monster was fashioned in the belly of a woman. At his remouing in his progresse, oft-times followed him 600. chariots laden only with bauds and common harlots. His gluttony, filchinesse, and excessiue riotousnes,The death of Heliogabalus. are in all mens mouthes. He was slaine of the souldiers, drawne through the Citie, and cast into Tiber.

p. 32Alexander Severus.

Euseb. lib. 6. cap 28. Chrons. Funct.ALexander Severus the adopted sonne of Heliogabalus, raigned thirteene yeares. Hee delighted to hauehave about him wife and learned Counsellers, such as Fabius, Sabinus, Domitius, Vlpianus, &c. This renowned Lawyer Vlpianus was not a friend to Christians,Vlpianus an enemy to Christians. but by collecting together a number of lawes made against Christians in times past, hee animated the hearts of Iudges against them. And this is a piece of the rebuke of Christ, that Christians hauehave borne continually to be hated of the wise men of the world.Hist Magdeb. cent. 3. Hereof it came to passe, that in this Emperours time, albeit hee was not so bloody as many others had beene before him, (and therefore his Empire was called foreign, that is, vnbloody) yet not a few suffered martyrdom even in the daies of Alexander, such as Agapetus, a young man of fifteene yeares old,The martyrdome of Agapetus. at Praeneste a towne of Italie: hee was assayed with many torments, and finally with the sword he was beheaded. The Iudge who gaue out sentence of death against him, fell out of his iudiciall seat, and suddenly dyed. The martyrdome of Cecilia, if by her trauells Valerian her espoused husband, and Tiburtius his brother, and 400. moe had beene converted to Christ, and secretly baptized by Vrbanus Bishop of Rome, immediatly before her death: I marvell that no mention should bee made by Eusebius of such a rare and miraculous worke. Senators and noble men at Rome, such as Pammachius, Simplicius, and Quiritius, Hist. Mag. cent. 3.with their wiues and children died for the faith of Christ, with many others. The favour that this Emperour shewed to Christians, against whom the very stubbering cookes did contend, challenging vntounto themselues the right of a place wherein Christians were accustomed to conveene for exercise of divine seruice, this favour, I say, seemeth to hauehave proceeded from the councell of Mammea his Christian mother, rather p. 33then from the counsell of Vlpianus that renowned lawyer an hatefull aduersarie to Christians.Mammea the Emperors mother is instructed by Origen in the faith. But Mammea his mother hearing the report of the learning of Origen sent for him and by him was instructed in the groundes of Christian faith. The learned doctour who wrote the booke of the martyrs, very judiciously obserueth the iniquitie of this time, whereinto no Christian Churches were erected,Note. when as yet (notwithstanding of the fauour of the Emperour at some times) no publicke house could quietly be obtained for the Christians: so that by reason hereof may appeare the decretall epistle of Pope Hyginus concerning the dedication of Churches is forged and fained, because the raigne of Alexander is a long time posterior to the dayes of Hyginus (who liued vnderunder the raigne of Antoninus Pius) and in the raigne of A lexander as yet there was great difficultie to obteine a place whereinto Christians might assemble together. The just deserued punishment of Turinus, whom the Emperour caused to bee fastened to a stake in the open market place,Turinus killed with smoke. Seuerus his death. and thereto be killed with smoke, the Herald standing by and crying to the people, Smoke he sold and with smoke hee is punished. This punishment I say declareth that this Emperour counted flatterers worthy of great punishment.Bucole. Index. chron. Alexander and his mother Mammea were both slaine by his owne souldiers.

Maximinus.

Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 28.AFter Alexander Seuerus Maximinus was Emperour and raigned 3. yeeres: A man of base parentage, of an huge stature, promoted to honours by Alexander, who nourished a serpent in his owne bosome (as the prouerbe speaketh) when he aduanced Maximinus an ingrate foster to great dignities and honours. For by his meanes the armie killed Alexander, and his mother Mammea, and saluted him p. 34and his sonne Emperours without aduise of the Romane Senate:Eucole, Index. chron. The 6. persecution. Ann. Christi. 237. Euseb. lib. 6. cap. …8. a man hated of all good men, beloued of euill men, more grieuous to the citizens of Rome then to their enemies, who for hatred of the house of Alexander (as Eusebius recordeth) raised vp the sixt persecution against Christians, specially against the teachers and leaders of the Church, thinking the sooner to vanquish the rest if the Captaines and guiders of them were made out of the way.

Origen wrote a booke de martyrie. Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 28.Origen at this time wrote a booke de martyrie, and dedicated it to Ambrosius and Protectetus, pastors of the Church of Caesarca: because these two vnderunder this persecution had susteined great afflictions, and constantly perseuered in the true faith. No persecution was more violent, no persecution endured shorter time. In no persecution are the names of suffering martyrs so obscured and couered with silence, possibly because the booke of Origen de martyrio through injurie of time is not to be found, therefore some learned men doe referre the martyrdome of such as we hauehave spoken of in the dayes of Alexander to this time, or to the persecution of Decius. I will not dispute of such doubtsome things. Three other things that are more necessarie to the edification of the Church I will touch.1 The malice of Satan against true Pastors. First the malice of the deuill, who hateth the welfare of the sheepfold of Christ, and laboureth either to spoyle it of true Pastors, or to send in among them poore sheepe hyrelings, and men not regarding the wellfare of the flock, but their own gaine: or else, if they hauehave true Pastors, to mooue the flocke to be disobedient to faithfull and vigilant Pastors. The stocke that can eschew all these three snares of the deuill, and all these three wofull calamities, so oft seasing vponupon the poore sheepefolde, they are in good estate. Reade Chrysostome writing vponupon the 13. chap. Heb. ver. 17.2 Another thing is worthie to be marked, that in three great persecutions, in the fift, sixt, and seuenth, Origen a man more renowmed in his life time then after his death, God vouchsafed vponupon him two great honours, but not the third, whereof he was most of all desirous. He encouraged his father Leonides, Not…and his disciples, Plutarchus, p. 35two S…reni, Heron and Heraclides patiently to suffer martyrdome in the dayes of Seuerus. Next hee wrote a booke de martyrio in the daies of Maximinus the sixt persecuter,Origen got not the honor of martyrdome. whereby doubtlesse many were incouraged patiently to suffer euill for Christs sake. What remaineth now but the third and principall honour of martyrdome it selfe, wherevnto he had a bent desire in the dayes of Decius the 7. persecuter, but then he fainted, as shall be declared hereafter God willing? When we call to minde this weakenes of Origen, Note.let all the cogitations of our heartes stoope, and thinke that we are not meete for great things, but if the Lord call vsus to suffer great things for his Names sake, the Lord perfite his strength in our infirmitie and weakenesse. Thirdly let vsus marke the great difference that is betweene the volume of the booke of holy canonicke and sacred Scripture, and all other bookes whatsoeuer. In Scripture the ouerpassing of matters of great importance and moment is not for ignorance, misknowledge or doubting of those things that are ouerslidden,difference betwixt holy scripture and other bookes. but for mysterie and representation of things more necessarie to be knowne: as namely when Moses a most accurat writer of the life, death, and genealogies, of holy Patriarches: ouerpasseth the description of the genealogie, death, & beginning, of the life of Melchisedecke: this was done of purpose to bring in Melchssedeck, as a type and figure of the true king of peace Christ Iesus, as the Apostle declareth, Heb. 7. but among ecclesiasticall writers I finde a preterition of the names of these worthy Pastors who were martyred for the cause of Christ in the sixt persecution, and this ouerpassing with silence so weightie a matter, is a secret confession of ignorance in this part of the historie, together with a doubting, whether Vrbanus the first, Valerianus, Tiburtius, Cecilia, and Martina suffered vnderunder Alexander, or vnderunder Maximinus, or vnderunder Decius. Yea Platina writeth it was the opinion of some men that Vrbanus 1. was martyred in the persecution of Dioclesian. I hauehave insisted at greater length in this purpose to the end that eueryevery man may giuegive vntounto sacred scripture that reuerence p. 36that is due vntounto it, but other writings let vsus reade them with judgement, for assuredly there is palpable weaknes in them.The death of Maximinus and his sonne. Func, chron. In the ende this wicked persecuter Maximinus and his sonne were slaine by his owne souldiers at the siege of Aquileia.

Gordianus.

THe tyrannie of Maximinus enforced both the Senate of Rome and likewise their oppressed confederates in Africke to aduise by what meanes the distressed estate of the Commonweale might be supported. And first Gordianus a man of noble birth in Rome, and at that time Praconsul in Africke, with his sonne bearing the name of Gordianus with his father, these two were declared to be Emperours to resist the tyrannie of Maximinus, but they were both cut off by Capellianus, Captaine of the Mauritanians. Within a short time the senate of Rome chused Maximus Pupienus and Balbinus to be Emperours, and to resist the tyrannie of Maximinus. But this election displeased the people of Rome, therefore they were compelled to associat Gordianus a yong man of 13. yeeres olde in conjunct authoritie with them. This Gordianus was the nephew of him who was Proconsull in Africke: and the souldiers made out of the way, Max. Pupienus and Balbinus. So Gordianus raigned himselfe alone without associats sixe yeeres.Chron. …unt.

Philippus.

PHilippus a man borne in Arabia and his sonne raigned fiue yeeres, Eusebius saith 7. yeeres. He was the first Emperour who became a Christian,Chron. Funt. …cole. and was baptized by Fabianus B. of Rome. He was content to stand among the p. 37number of the penitents who made confession of their sinnes,Euseb. lib. 6 cap. 34. for his life was reprooueable in somethings before his conuersion, especially in slaying of Gordianus an Emperour inclined to peace. Decius one of the Captaines of his armie conspired against him,Philippus his death. and slew him, and his sonne raigned in his stead.

Decius.

DEcius and his sonne obteined the Empire.Chron Fun…. The 7 persecution. Ann. Ch. 250. 2. yeeres: Whether for hatred of Philip his master, whom he had slaine, or for detestation of Christians, or for couetous desire of the treasures of Philip left in the custodie of Fabian B. of Rome, or for some other cause, it is not certaine. Alwayes he mooued a terrible persecution against the Christians. The martyrs who suffered death in the time of this persecution were innumerable. Some few of the principall martyres I shall rehearse,Alexander and Babylas both died in prison. Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem died in prison at Caesarea. Babylas Bishop of Antiochia died likewise in prison. Fabian Bishop of Rome suffered martyrdome. Dionisius Alexandrinus by a wonderfull prouidence of God escaped the handes of persecuting enemies. Ciprian Bishop of Carthage was banished and reserued to the honour of martyrdome vntill the dayes of Valerian the eight persecuter.Origen at Ierusalem closeth the booke and weepeth. Origen who from his childhood was desirous of the honour of martyrdome, in this persecution of Decius he fainted, and his heart was so ouerset with feare to hauehave his chaste body defiled with an vgly Ethiopian, that he choosed rather to offer incense to the Idol, then to be so filthily abused. For this cause he was excommunicated by the Church of Alexandria, and for very shame fled to Iudea, where he was not only gladly receiued, but also requested publickly to preach at Ierusalem. Neuerthelesse in stead of teaching he watred his face with teares, when he reade these words of scripture. To the wicked man saith God, What hast thou to doe to declare p. 38mine ordinances, that thou shouldest take my couenant in thy mouth? Ps. 50. ver. 16. These words so deepely wounded his heart with griefe, that he closed the booke and fate downe and wept,Hist. Mag. cent. 3. cap. 10. and all the congregation wept with him. No pitie nor compassion was had neither of sexe or age. In this persecution,The teeth of the holy martyr Apollonia. Apollonia, a virgine of good yeeres, after they had dashed her face with battons till all her teeth were stricken out of her jawes, they burned her quicke at the port of Alexandria. This is that holy martyr whose teeth the Romane Church in our dayes say that they hauehave them as holy monuments kept in the treasures of their reliques vntill this time. But the tryall that was taken of late dayes by Henry the eight king of England, seeking for the teeth of Apollonia as a remedy of the toothach clearly prooueth that many teeth are supposed to be the t eeth of Apollonia that were neuer fastened in her jaw bones.Chemnisius dereli quiis. The death of Quinia, Ammonarion, Mercuria, Dionisia, clearely declareth what pitie was had of the weakenesses of women. Iulianus. an olde and gowtie man burned with fire testifieth what regard was had to the gray haires of ancient men.Note. Dioscorus a yong man not exceeding 15. yeeres of age, albeit they were ashamed to condemne him to death, yet he escaped not many painfull torments, and was a glorious Confessor with patient expectation awaiting vntill the Lord should call him to the honour of martyrdome.The Martyrdome of Nemesion. Nemesion was accused in Alexandria as a companion of brigants, and was punished with stripes and fire vntounto the death with greater seueritie then any brigant, albeit his innocencie was sufficiently knowne. Ammon, Zenon, Ptolemeus, Ingenuus, Theophilus, warri ours and knights standing by the tribunall seate beckened with their hands to a certaine weake Christian, who for feare was readie to incline and fall, that he should continue constant, and stepped to the bench, and professed themselues to be Christians. This dayly increasing courage of Christians, who were emboldened by the multitude of sufferings, astonished & terrified the Iudges: Ischirion was slaine by his owne master.Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 41. The number of martyres p. 39in Alexandria and Egypt, (of whom Dionysius in this Epistle written to Fabius Bishop of Antiochia maketh mention) clearely testifieth that if the names of all those who suffered martyrdome in the townes of Rome, Carthage, Antiochia, Ephesus and Babilon, were particularly set downe, together with the names of others who suffered in other townes of Asia, Africke and Europe: subject to the dominiof the Roman Emperour, it were not possible in the volume of a litle booke to comprehend them all. For mine owne part I presume not to doe it, but I reuerence the painfull trauelles of learned men who hauehave dipped deepely into such a fruitfull subject, specially the writer of the booke of martyres. OnelyOnly I find somethings in this seuenth persecution, which the principall purpose wherefore I hauehave collected this compend will not permit me to passe ouer with silence.The veritie hath no neede to be vnderpropped with lies. Note. Namely these: first, let no ma n thinke that the veritie is weake, and hath neede to be strengthened by a lie, as Nicephorus is accustomed to doe. The seuen martyres of Ephesus, whose names were Maximianus, Malchus, Martinianus, Dionysius, Ioannes, Serapion, and Constantinus, were lurking in a caue, the entrie whereof Decius commanded to be closed with great heapes of stones, to the end that the forenamed Christians might be killed with famine, which came to passe indeede: Yet famine could not separate these holy Martyres from Christ. But Nicephorus the father of many other fables also saith, that they fell on sleepe, which they continued till the time of Theodosius, that is, from the 250. vntill the 379. yeere of our Lord, and then they did awake out of their sleepe,Nic…phorus. lib. 5. cap. 27. saith Nicephorus: But he who will giuegive hastie credite to Nicephorus fables, writing of the 7. martyres, who lurked in a caue of mount Caelius and to Euagrius description of Barsanuphius an Egyptian monke, who enclosed himselfe in a cottage beside Gaza for the space of 50. yeares, and vsed no kinde of bodily refreshment to sustaine his earthly tabernacle, he may be easily led to all kinde of errour.Note. The second thing worthy to be marked, is, that many persecuted preachers had wiues p. 40and children, as the historie recordeth. Cheremon Bishop of a citie in Egypt called Nilus fled to the mountaines of Arabia, accompanied with his wife, and returned not againe to Egypt, neither was he seene of those who sought him in the wildernesse,Euseb lib. 6. cap. 42. Married Bishops. Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria, who miraculously escaped the crueltie of persecuters, maketh expresse mention of his children, Deo mihi vt migrarem praecipiente, viámque mirabiliter aperiente, ego & liberi, & multi fratres egressisumus; that is, after that God had commanded me to remooue, and had miraculously opened a passage vntounto me,Euseb lib. 6. cap. 40. I and my children, and brethren went forth: If antiquitie be regarded, Bishops who doe marrie, are not Nicolatian Heretiques, but rather such as forbid to marrie teach a doctrine of deuils.1 Tim. 4.3. Note.1 Tim 4:3 Thirdly it is to be marked, that in time of this vehement persecution, many fainted and fell backe from the open profession of Christian faith.The rigour of Novatus. Others to prouide timous remedie against such defections, gaue out a rigorous sentence against such as had fallen of infirmitie, that they should not be receiued againe into the fellowship of the church. In this opinion was Nouatus, and his complices. And by their example we should learne to beware of such men as vnderunder pretence of zeale perturbe the vnitie of the Church, and inuent remedies to cure the maladies of the diseased Church, which are worse then the sicknes it selfe, as the Novatians did: Weakenes at some time is to be pitied,Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 43. but deuilish rigour pitying no man, who falleth of infirmitie, is a lesson that hath no allowance in the booke of God.Gal 6.1.Gal 6:1 This cruell tyrant, after he had raigned two yeeres, made warre against the Scythians (some call them the Gothes) by whom hee was vanquished in battell, and fearing to be ouertaken, and to come vnderunder the tyrannie of barbarous people, he cast himselfe into a deepe pit, where he ended his life,Bucole Index. Chron. chron. Funct. and his body could not be found. The great desolations that were made in the world about this time by the plague of pestilence the Ethnickes imputed the cause of them to the Christians. But Cyprian, whose pen the Lord guided better, declared that the cause of all these calamities p. 41was the worshipping of Idols, the contempt of Gods true seruice,Cypry. ad Demetrianum. and the persecuting of innocent Christians.

Gallus and Volusian.

AFter Decius, Gallus and Volusian his sonne raigned two yeeres.Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 1. Hee walked in the footsteps of Decius. Hee was slaine by Emilian, who presumed to raigne, but he was so hastily made out of the way, that Eusebius and many other Historians misknow his name in the Catalogue o… Emperours.

Valerianus and Gallienus.

VAlerianus and Gallienus his sonne, raigned 15. yeeres. viz. Gallienus with his father in coniunct authoritie 7. yeeres, after his fathers captivity and death, hee raigned alone eight yeeres. In the first three or foure yeeres of the Empire of Valerian, hee was favourable and friendly to Christians, and great numbers of them were found in the Emperours Court: But afterward hee was seduced by an Egyptian Sorcerer, who hated Christians, because that by them he was hindred from practicing his magicall charms. So the eight persecution began vnderunder Valerian. The 8. Persecution. Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 10. Anno Chr. 259. The martyrdome of Laurence.In this persecution suffered three Bishops of Rome, Lucius, Stephanus, and Sixtus; and a Deacon, Laurence who was layd vponupon an hot broyling iron, and patiently, endured the torment of fire. This is that Deacon who called the poore the treasure of the Church: for then is the Church rich, when it is rich in good workes, and feedeth, clotheth, and visiteth Christ in his hungry, naked, and diseased members. Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria, was banished to Cephro, a place in the wildernesse of Libya.Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 11. Priscus, Mal…bus, and Alexander were p. 42devoured by beasts in Caesarea,Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 12. The martyrdome of Cyprian. Naz. in Ieudem Cypriani. Theosecnus B. of Caesarea, encourageth Marinus. Palestina. Cyprian Bishop of Carthage was beheaded. Marinus a Roman Captaine in Caesarea, was envied for the dignity and honour he was advanced vntounto, and hee was accused to bee a Christian, and consequently to bee vncapable of great preferments and dignities: he was encouraged by Theotecnus Bishop of Caesarea, patiently to suffer death for the cause of Christ, by taking him into a secret chamber and laying before him a drawne sword and the booke of the Gospell, and bidding him take his choice of one of these two which he liked best: Marinus liked better the booke of the Gospell then of the sword; and was martyred for the faith contained in that sacred booke of holy Scripture.Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 15. Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 16. The miserable captivity of Valerian. Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 13. Bucol. Index. chron. Astyrius a noble Senatour, caryed the body of this holy Martyr Marinus vponupon his own shoulders, and buried it hounourably. In the end the Lord delivered this persecuting Tyrant into the hand of Sapor, King of Persia, who not onelyonly detained him in strait captivity, but also abused him most filthily, and made his bodie a footstoole, and trampled vponupon his necke at such times as he was about to mount on horsebacke.

This fearfull captivity of Valerian had vntounto it a notable testimony of the wrath of God against persecuters. For like as hee trampled vnderunder his feet the Church of Christ: so in like manner the Lord gaue his necke and backe to be trampled vponupon by the feet of his enemies.Note. This example of Gods heavie indignation somewhat terrified Gal…ienus his sonne, and he gaue out an edict, for the safe returning of such as were banished,Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 13. to their own dwelling places, and for staying the rage of persecution. Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria, having liberty granted by the Emperors edict to returne from banishment, came back againe to Alexandria, wherein hee found such terrible desolation by famine and pestilence, that there remained not of men, women, and children so many aliue as there were wont to be of ancient hoare-headed men, walking vponupon their streets: the Lord was so highly displeased with the vnthankfull world, that hee was determined to consume them who had consumed his people.

p. 43The good carriage of Christians at this time is worthie to be marked,Christians full of pitty. who were full of charitie and louelove, and visited the sicke, and did all offices of humanity to those who were diseased, or dead: whereas the Pagans by the contrary forsooke their dearest friends, left them comfortlesse, and thrust out such as were halfe dead into the streets, and left them there vnburied, and to be eaten with dogs. This is written in the letter of Dionysius inserted in the history of Eusebius. Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 21.22.So great difference is betweene Christians trained vp in the schoole of Christ, and others, who hauehave not beene fed with the sincere milke of the Word. Christians in time of sicknesse were more dutifull to their enemies, then others were vntounto their friends.

If any man would defend worshipping of images to bee an ancient custome in the Church,The history of Eusebius concerning the tvvo brasen images in Caesarea Philippi Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 18. by the two brasen images, which were set vp in Caesarea Philippi, for a memoriall of the miracle that Christ wrought in curing of the woman who had a bloody issue, this place of Eusebius will make nothing for him. For these images were not made for adoration, neither were they set vp in temples, nor worshipping places, but in the very street, before the doore of the woman who had beene cured. The places whereunto Christians were gathered together for divine service, at this time are called in the mandate of the Emperour Gallienus, Caemiteria. In these places no man readeth that images were set vp.Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 13. Besides this, these images were graven or molten by the hands of Pagans, and not of Christians: and this fact was done by imitation of the Gentiles, foreign, that is, according to the custome of the Gentiles; hee saith not foreign, according to the custome of her owne kindred, but foreign, as is said. Yet may wee take warning by this place,Note. Similitude. to beware of the small beginnings of errour. Images hauehave beene like vntounto a base borne fellow, who at the first can hauehave no credit to set his head into the Kings palace, but afterward hee getteth accesse into the outer court, and in the end, his credit daily increasing by degrees, he getteth favour to lie in the Kings bed-chamber: even so in the first p. 44300. yeere of our Lord, images were not brought in, into places of holy conventions: afterward they were brought in, into Churches, but not worshipped, as the Epistle of Gregorius the first, written to Severus Bishop of Marsil, cleerly testifieth. But in the end adoration of images was in so frequent vse, as if it had beene the principall point of the worship of God.

Claudius and Quintilius.

Eusib. lib. 7. cap. 20.CLaudius, after Gallienus raigned two yeeres. And his brother Quintilius seuenteene dayes. Hee is not reckoned by Eusebius in the roll of Emperours.

Aurelianus.

AFter Quintilius, Aurelianus possessed the crowne sixe yeeres.Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 30. The 9. Persecution. Anno Chr. 278. In the beginning of his raigne hee was not a great disturber of Christians. Notwithstanding in continuance of time, his nature somewhat inclinable to severitie, was altered to plaine tyranny, which tyranny first hee shewed beginning with the murther of his owne sisters sonne, as witnesseth Eutropius. After that, hee proceedeth to moove the ninth persecution against Christians: albeit the mercifull working of God did soone overthrowe all the wicked purposes of the Emperour. For as the edict and proclamation should hauehave beene denounced, for the persecuting of Christians,Note. the mighty hand of God from aboue did suddenly stop his purpose: cleerly declaring to all men, that there is no power to worke any violence against the servants of God,Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 30. Funct. chron. vnlesse his permission doe suffer them, and giuegive them leaue. Here I see that D. Iohn Fox, writer of the booke of Martyrs, taketh leaue of Vincentius Martyrologie. If others p. 45had done the like, they had not heaped vp so many Martyrs in the dayes of Claudius Quintilius, and Aurelian as they hauehave done. For Eusebius had assuredly made mention of it, if the number had beene so great as Vincentius recordeth. Before the Emperours minde was altered and inclined to tyranny against Christians, hee assisted with his authority the Bishops convened at Antiochia, for the deposition and excommunication of the heretique Samosatenus, Aurelian vvith ciuill authority assisteth the Church against Samosatenus. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 3.and so the Emperours authority being interposed, this proud Heretike was compelled to stoope and to giuegive place, and with great ignominy was driven from the towne of Antiochia. In his place Domnus was elected to be Bishop of Antiochia, a man endued with good graces, the sonne of Demetrian, who immediatly before Samosatenus governed the Church of Antiochia. And here againe it is to be marked, that the Bishops at this time (albeit it was a time of persecution) yet did they not abhorre from marriage:Note. for Demetrianus Bishop of Antiochia, was a married man and had children, and Domnus his sonne, so that the prohibition of mariage to men in spirituall offices is not an ancient doctrine.

Annius Tacitus and Florianus.

AFter Aurelian was slaine betweene Bizans and Heraclea, the Imperiall chaire was vacant six moneths. The Senate of Rome elected Annius Tacitus to be Emperour. Hee continued but six moneths in his government. Eusebius overpasseth his name with silence,Funct. chron. as likewise the name of his brother Florianus, who aspired to the Imperiall dignity.

p. 46Aurelius Probus.

AVrelius Probus a gentle and peaceable Emperour, raigned six yeeres,Euseb. Func. chron. three moneths. Hee was envied by his Captaines and Souldiers, because hee appointed them to plant vineyards, and said there was no great need of souldiers,His death. Func. chron. Bucol. where no enemy was to be feared. He was slaine by his souldiers.

Carus, Carinus, Numerianus.

CArus with his two sonnes, Carinus and Numerianus raigned after Probus. Euseb. lib. 7. cap. 30.All these three continued not aboue the space of three yeeres. And Numerianus was slaine by his owne father in law,Func. chron. called Aper. Carus was slaine by thunder: and Carinus was ouercome in battell, and slaine by Dioclesian, Bucol. Index. chron.whom the Romane army had declared to be Emperour, while Carinus was yet aliue.

Dioclesianus and Maximinianus.

LIke as Dioclesian overcame Carinus the sonne of Carus in battell, even so likewise hee slew Aper, the father in law of Numerianus, Func. chron.with his owne hands. Whether this was done for detestation of sinne, or for desire of government, it is vncertaine. Alwayes some affirme that his concubine Druas had sayd vntounto him, that hee should kill a wilde Boare before hee should bee Emperour. And after the killing of Aper (which name by interpretation signifieth a wilde Boare) hee became Emperour. In the beginning of his p. 47raigne hee chused for his colleague Maximianus surnamed Hercules, father to Maxentius. And these two chused other two, viz. Galerius and Constantius Chlorus, the father of Constantine, whom they called Caesars: but the honourable title of Augustus Dioclesian & Maximian retained to themselues. These two Augusties raigned 20. yeeres. Constantius Chlorus Caesar continued fifteene: Galerius Caesar 21. yeeres. Dioclesian and Maximianus Herculeus, abstained from persecuting of Christians vntill the nineteene yeere of their raigne. Before I touch the History of the tenth persecution, three things are to be premitted. First, that after the persecution 1of Valerian the eight Persecuter, the Church enioyed great peace, which albeit it was like to bee cut off by the altered minde of Aurelian, yet the wise dispensation of the wisdome of God, provided that all his cruell enterprises were disappointed.Psal. 129.4.Ps 129:4 The righteous Lord cutted the cords of the wicked. Secondly, Christians were in great favour and credit with 2Emperours, and to them was committed the gouernment of Provinces and Nations, as cleerly appeared in the preferment of Dorotheus and Gorgonius. Thirdly, they had libertie to build Oratories and Temples, large and ample in every 3Citie.Temples were built by Christians after the death of Valerian. Euseb. lib. 3. cap. 1.

All this came to passe in the forty yeeres peace, that intervened betweene the raigne of Valerian, and the nineteenth yeere of the raigne of Dioclesian. Yet the Church of Christ in this short time began to be festred with the corrupt manners of carnall and fleshly people, so that contentions abounded, but charity waxed cold in the Church of God. What wonder was it then that the Lord permitted this tenth and most horrible persecution of Dioclesian to stirre and to waken drowsie Christians, who were beginning to be fashioned according to the likenesse of the world?

In the nineteenth yeere of his Imperiall authority, and in the monethmonth of March, The 10. Persecution. Anno Ch. 308.this horrible persecution began to arise: Dioclesian in the East, and Maximianus in the West, bending all their forces to roote out the profession of Christians, out of the world, Dioclesian was pufft vp in pride for p. 48his manifold victories and triumphes, and would bee counted a God, and adorned his shooes with gold and precious stones, and commanded the people to kisse his feete. This Persecution continued ten yeeres, even vntill the seventh yeere of the raigne of Constantine the great. So that whatsoever cruelty was practised by Maximinianus, Maximinus, Maxentius, and Licinius, all goeth vnderunder the name of Dioclesian, the author of this tenth persecution. Cruell edicts and proclamations were set forth in the beginning of this persecution, cōmanding to overthrow & cast to the ground the Temples of Christians, to burne the bookes of holy Scripture, to displace all such as were magistrates and were in office, and to cast Christian Bishops into prison, and to compell them with sundry kinds of punishments, to offer vntounto Idols. Also common people, who would not renounce the profession of Christianity to be spoyled of their liberty.Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 3. The great cruelty vsed in this 10. persecution.

These edicts were hastily put in execution. Many Christians were scourged, racked, and cruciated with intolerable torments. Some were violently drawne to impure sacrifice, and as though they had sacrificed, when indeede they did not, were let goe: some were downe vponupon the ground, and drawne by the legges a great space, and the people was made to beleeue that they had sacrificed: some stoutly withstood them, and denyed with a lowd voyce, that they had not bin, or ever would be partakers of Idolatry. Notwithstanding, of the weake sort, many for feare and infirmity gaue over even at the first assault. When the foresaid edicts were proclaimed,Iohn a noble man borne, rent in peeces, the Emperors Proclamation. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 5. both the Emperours happened to be in the towne of Nicomedia: notwithstanding a certaine Christian being a noble man borne, whose name was Iohn, ranne and tooke downe the proclamation, and openly tare and rent it peeces. For which fact he was put to a most bitter death, which hee patiently endured vntill his last gaspe. The generall Captaine of the army of Dioclesian, gaue choyce to the souldiers, whether they would obey the Emperours commandement in offering sacrifices, and keeps still their offices, or else lay p. 49away their armour, and be depriued of their offices: but the Christian souldiers were not onelyonly content to lay away their armour, bu also to offer themselues vntounto the death, rather then to obey such vnlawfull commandements.

In Nicomedia the Emperour refraind not from the slaughter and death of the children of Emperours,Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 4. neither yet from the slaughter of the chiefest princes of his court, such as Peter, Note.whose body, being beaten with whips and torne that a man might see the bare bones, and after they had mingled vineger and salt, they powred it vponupon the most tender partes of his body, and lastly rosted him at a soft fire as a man would rost flesh to eare, and so this victorious martyr ended his life. Dorotheus and Gorgonius being in great authoritie and office vnderunder the Emperour after diuerse torments were strangled with an halter.The martyrdome of P…ter Do…orbeus and Gorgonius. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 6. The torments that Peter suffered, encouraged them to giuegive a worthy confession that they were of that same faith and religion that Peter was of. This persecution raged most vehemently in Nicomedia, where the Emperours palace through some occasion being set on fire, the Christians were blamed as authors of that fact: Therefore so many as could be found out, were burned with fire, or drowned in water, or beheaded with the sword, amongst whom was Anthimus Bishop of Antiochia, who was beheaded. The bodies of the sonnes of Emperours that were buried, they digged out of their graues, and sent them in boates to bee buried in the bottome of the sea, lest Christians should hauehave worshipped them as gods, if their sepulchres had beene knowne, such opinion they had of Christians.Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 6. The number of twentie thousand burned in one temple of Nicomedia by Maximinus smelleth of the libertie that Nicephorus taketh in adding many things to the veritie of the historie. The martyrdome of Serena the Emperour Dioclesians wife is rejected by learned men as a fable, albeit recorded by Hermannus Gigas. The number of Christians cast into prison and appointed for death was so great, that scarcely a voide place could be found in a prison to thrust in a murtherer, or an opener of graues, such p. 50heapes of Christians were inclosed in darke prisons.Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 6. The martyrs of Palestina, of Tyrus in Phenicia, of Tarsus, of Antiochia, of Alexandria, of Miletina in Armenia, and of Pontus, Cappadocia and Arabia, they could not easily bee numbred.Horrible crueltie against Christian wom…n. In Thebaida, horrible and vnnaturall crueltie was vsed against christian women, whom they hanged vponupon gibbets with their heades down-ward toward the ground, and fastened one of their legges onelyonly to the gibbet, the other being free: thus their naked bodies hanging vponupon trees in maner aforesaid,Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 9. presenced to the beholders a spectacle of most vile and horrible inhumanitie. In like maner the branches of trees were artificially bowed downe to the earth, and the feete and legges of Christians tied to them, so that by their hastie returning againe vntounto their naturall places the bodies of Christians were rent in pieces. This was not a crueltie finished in a short space of time, but of long continuance, some dayes 20. some dayes 60. and at sometimes an hundred were with sundrie kindes of torments excruciated vntounto the death. And these torments they suffered with joy and gladnesse, and singing of Psalmes vntill the last breath.Euseb ibid. A towne in Phrygiaset on fire, and all the inhabitants burnt with fire. Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 11. In Phrygia a towne was set on fire by the Emperours commandement (the name whereof Eusebius passeth ouer with silence) and the whole inhabitants being Christians, men, women, and children, were burned with fire. Tirannion Bishop of Tyrus, Zenobius Presoyter of Sidon, Siluanu's Bishop of Gaza, and Pamphilus a worthy Presbyter in Caesarea, whose life and death Eusebius hath described in a seuerall treatise,Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 13. all these (I say) were crowned with martyrdome. Maximinus Emperour of the West, whose persecution Eusebius describeth not at such length as tho persecution of Dioclesian in the East,Mauritius with a whole legion of Christian souldiers martyred. Hist. Mag. cent. 4. hee was like vntounto a wilde Boare trampling vnderunder his feete the vine-yarde of God. He slew Maximinus a noble Captaine with a legion of Christian and Thebane souldiers, because they would not consent to offer sacrifice vntounto idoles. This was done beside the riuer of Rhonne. The martyres of France, Italy and Germanie, specially at p. 51Colen and Triers, where the blood of Christians was shed in such abundance, that it ranne like small brookes, and it coloured great and mightie riuers. the multitude (I say) of these holy martyrs, and the diuersitie of torments dayly excogitated against them, what memorie is able to comprehend, or what tongue is able sufficiently to expresse? In the ende, when these two Emperours were drunken with the blood of the Saints of God, and saw that the numbers of Christians daily increased, they beganne to relent their furie and madnesse a little, beeing at last content that the punishment of Christians should be the thrusting out of their right eyes, and the maiming of their left legges with condemning them to the mines of Mettalles.Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 12. Pro. 12. vers. 10Prov 12:10 The mercies of the wicked are cruell, saith Salomon. Before two yeeres were fully compleate after the beginning of this tenth persecution, these two furious persecuters (for what cause God knoweth) gaue ouer their imperiall function, and remained not Emperours any more, but as priuate persons, Dioclesian after hee had denuded himselfe of the imperiall dignitie,Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 13. Diocletian and Maximian giuegive ouer their imperiall function Bucol. liued almost 9. yeeres. Maximian within foure yeeres after, was slaine by the commandement of Constantine. The imperiall dominion then remained with Constantius Chlorus and Galerius Maximinus. these two diuided the whole monarchie betweene them. Constantius contented himselfe with France, Spaine and Brittaine: Galerius Maximinus had the rest. Constantius tooke Constantinus his sonne to bee Caesar vnderunder him, and Galerius Maximinus chused his two sonnes, Maximinus and Sonerus to be Caesars vnderunder him. The Romane souldiers also set vp Maxentius the son of Maximianus Herculeus to be their Emperour: against whom Galerius sent his sonne Seuerus, who being slaine, he chused Licinius in his stoad. Of these fiue, who raigned at one time (the like whereof came not to passe at any time before) two Emperours and three Caesars, three of them viz. Galerius and Maximinus his sonne, and Licinius prosecuted the persecution, begun by Dioclesian, neere the space of 7. p. 52or 8.Note. yeares, which was to the yeere of our Lord 318. The other two, Constantius and his sonne Constantine were fauourable to Christians.

Constantius and Galerius Maximinus.

COnstantius Chlorus raigned as Emperour 13. yeeres. Others say 16. some say 11. yeeres. He ended his life in peace at Yorke.Hist. Magd. Constantius tried his Captaines whether they were Christians, or not. Hee was not onelyonly friendly to Christians, but also hee counted them the onelyonly faithfull subjects to Emperours. And such, as he perceiued that for louelove of honour, gaine, or any worldly commoditie would make shipwracke of a good conscience and sacrifice to idoles (albeit they had allowance by his owne fained commandement, giuen out for exploration of the religion of his Captaines and souldiers, rather then seriouslly and from his heart, allowing the worshipping of idoles) these (I say) who made no conscience to worship idoles for conquessing fauour at the Emperours hands, he disauthorized them,Euseb. lib. 2. de vita Constantius lib. 1. remoued them from offices and counted them men who were false to God, and would neuer be true to him.

Maximinus elder and yonger in the East part of the world were cruell persecuters. Because ecclesiasticall writers doe not clearely distinguish the crueltie of the father from the crueltie of the sonne, I shall comprise all vnderunder the name of Galerius Maximinus the father of the other Maximinus. A comparison betwixt Maximinus and Pharaoh.He was not vnlike vntounto Pharaoh, for when the correcting hand of God was vponupon him, then he relented his furie: but when the plague ceased, he returned againe to his wonted malice. First God smote him with a wonderful vncouth disease, so that his flesh began to putrifie and innumerable multitude of vermine swarmed out of his inward parts, then hee commanded that the persecution should cease, and that Christians should pray for him, p. 53and hee published edicts of peace in their fauours throughout all his dominions. But scarce continued hee in this good resolution 6. months, when as he sent out contrarie edicts, and caused them to be engraued in brasse (which thing was not done at any time before) and to be set vp in eueryevery Citie,Euseb. lib. 9. cap. 7. whereupon ensued a grieuous persecution of Siluanus Bishop of Emisa. Lucianus Bishop of Antiochia, who suffered martyrdome at Nicomedia after he had giuen in his apologie to the Emperour, and Peter Bishop of Alexandria.Euseb. lib. 9. cap. 6. The martyrdome of king Antheas and 37. thousand moe martyrs with him I passe by as a thing vncertaine: because Eusebius could not hauehave ouerpassed with silence such a rare and wonderfull crueltie committed in his owne time, if it had beene of veritie done, as some alledge. Other thirtie thousand are said to hauehave beene martyred in sundrie places, and this is very probable, because the martyrs who suffered in this tenth persecution were innumerable. Quirinus Bishop of Scescania a towne of vpper Pannonia was throwne into the flood hauing an hand-mill hanged about his necke,Quirinus his death. and so was drowned. I leaue a recitall of the names of all the rest of the martyrs, of whom I reade to hauehave suffered martyrdome at this time, like as I hauehave done in all the preceding persecutions.

Now to speake somewhat of the cruell edict of this Emperour ingraued in brasse,Edicts against Christians ingraued in Brasse. and hanged vp in all principall cities, specially in Tyrus. In it he gloried, that peace, wealth, prosperitie and plentie of all good things were in his time: and he attributed the glory of all this aboundance to the deuote worshipping of the heathen gods. At this time (saith Eusebius) was that fulfilled which the Lord Iesus fortold that the tribulation of those dayes should be so great, that except those dayes had beene shortened,Mat. 24, 22, 24.Matt 24:22Matt 24:24 no flesh could hauehave beene saued: but for the Electes sake those dayes should be shortened: yea and if it were possible the very Elect should be deceiued. But the Lord pitying the infirmitie of his Saints and to stop the blasphemous mouthes of heathen people, p. 54turned suddenly all their joy into mourning and lamentation,A sudden change of the prosperitie of Pagans into aduersitie. with famine, pestilence, warfare, and vncouth diseases, whereby the eyes of men and women were blinded, by which the Lord tamed the insolent pride of this bloody Tyrant. It is to be noted that in time of this publicke calamitie, Christians and no others but they onelyonly, were found to be fraughted with louelove and full of charitie euen toward their hatefull enemies.Euseb. lib. 9. cap. 8. The second time whereinto Maximinus seemed to change his minde toward Christians was after the victorie obtained by Constantine and Licinius against Maxentius. The said two Emperours set foorth edictes in fauour of the Christians: and Maximinus rather fearing Constantine then louing God, began in his bounds also to stay the rage of cruell persecution, as the letter written to his Deputie Sabinus clearely declareth. But after a small time he altered his minde and set foorth new commandements to persecute Christians.Eus…b. lib. 9. cap. 9. Maximinus was ouercome in battel by Licinius. Yet the Lord pitying the grieuous afflictions of his persecuted Church, brought this Tyrant to an ende. For hee made warre against Licinius being counselled thereto by his sorcerers and charmers, who promised vntounto him good successe in his battell against Licinius: but the contrarie fell out: for hee was discomfited, and cast off his imperiall ornaments, & fledde feeble and naked, and mixing himselfe with the effeminat multitude, wandering through townes, and lurking in villages, hardly escaped the hands of his enemies. After this he killed and put to death those enchanters and deceiuers who had bewitched him all his dayes, and had put him in esperance of victorie in his battell foughten against Licinius, and shortly after oppressed with a certaine disease, glorified the God▪ of the Christians, and made a most absolute law for the safetie and preseruation of them. And so the Tyrant of Tyrants by the vehemencie of his sicknesse ended his life.Euseb. lib 9. cap. 10.

After wee hauehave spoken a litle of Maxentius who was chosen Emperour by the Praetorian souldiers, resteth nothing but to conclude this short summe of the historie p. 55of the ten persecutions with the ende and death of that notable hypocrite, Licinius. Maxentius was so villanous in his behauiour, that hee abstined not from abusing of the wiues of noble senatours, whom he caught violently from their husbands, and contumeliously abused them, and sent them backe againe.Euseb. lib 8. cap. 14. The like villanie also hee intended to hauehave done to a certaine Christian gentlewoman at Rome, called Sophronia, Sophronia chused rather to kill her selfe then to be abused by Maxent…us.whose husband neither could nor durst make resistance to the vile appetite of the proud Emperour, but this noble woman desiring libertie to goe to her chamber to adorne and decke her selfe a short while, and after shee would goe with the messengers to the Emperour, shee chused rather to put her selfe to death in her chamber then to be abused by him.Euseb. lib. 8. cap. 15. Which lamentable fact being reported to him, he was nothing moued therewith, neither abstained he any white from his wonted sinnes. The people of Rome being wearie of his villanie sent to Constantine for aide, who gathered an armie in France and Brittaine to represse this Tyrant: to whom when hee approched he feared Maxentius charmes (wherewith hee was supposed to hauehave vanquished Seuerus, whom Galerius Maximinus had sent against him before) and stood in doubt what to doe:Constantine seeth the similitude of a bright crosse in heauen, Euseb lib. 1, de vita Constantini, Maxentius ouercome in battell by Constantine is drowned. and as hee was doubting hee cast his eyes often to heauen, and sawe about the going downe of the sunne a brightnesse in the heauen in the similitude of a Crosse, with certaine starres of equall bignesse giuing this inscription like Latin letters, In hoc vince, that is in this ouercome. After this vision his banner was made in the similitude of a Crosse, and caried before him in his warres. Maxentius was compelled to issue out of the towne against Constantine, whose force when hee was not able to sustaine, hee fled, and retired in hope to get the citie, but was ouerthrowne off his horse about the bridge called Pons Miluius and drowned in the flood.

Dioclesian hearing tell of the prosperous successe of Constantine, The death of Dioclesian.and what edicts he had set foorth for the peace of Christians, for very griefe hee died. Others alledge that p. 56he poysoned himselfe. Ann. 317.

Licinius was made Caesar by Maximinus, as is said. Hee was very familiar with Constantine and was his colleg in the gouernement 7. yeeres, and married Constantina the sister of Constantine. Euseb. lib. 10. cap. 8.Likewise hee concurred with him to subdue the tyrant Maxentius. Also he ouercame Maximinus in battell. He purposed likewise to hauehave circumucened and slaine the good Emperour Constantine to whom hee was many wayes greatly addebted, but the Lord disappointed his counsells, and preserued Constantine to the great benefit and good of his Church. But Licinius failing of his purpose conuerted his rage against the Christians, notwithstanding he had set out edicts before to procure their peace. Hee pretended this quarrell against them, that they prayed for the welfare of Constantine and not for his welfare.Euseb. lib. 2. de vita Constantini Three cruell edicts of Licinius against Christians. He set foorth against the Christians three cruell edicts. 1. Inhibiting assemblies and conuentions of Bishops to consult in matters belonging to their religion. 2. He discharged women to resort to the assemblies where men were to pray or to be instructed in matters to religion. 3. Hee commanded that no man should visit imprisoned Christians or succour them with any reliefe, threatning against those who would disobey such punishment as the imprisoned persons were to suffer. After these edicts the mountaines, woods and wildernesses began to be the habitation of the Lords saints. The Bishops about Libya and Egypt were taken, cut in pieces, and their flesh cast into the sea to be meat for the fishes. And this was done by the flatterers of Licinius, supposing to gratifie him by the cruell handling of the Lords seruants. In his time were put to death these 40.Fortie martyrs tormented first with cold and next with heats. martyrs of whom Basilius writeth, who were set in a pond of water all night lying open to the blasts of cold Northen winds, and in the morning they being frozen and almost senslesse with the extremitie of the cold, yet were caried vponupon carts to be burned with fire, to the ende their poore carkeses might feele by experience whether the extremitie of cold or heate were p. 57the greater torment. Of these 40. noble souldiers of Christ, one being stronger then the rest, endured the vehemency of the cold better, to whom his mother came, not to desire him to embrace this present life by a filthy denyall of Christ, nor to weepe for the paines of the tormented body of her sonne, but rather to exhort her sonne to persevere constantly in the faith of Christ, to the end: for shee craved licence to lift vp her sonne with her owne hands into the cart, admonishing him to accomplish that happy iourney he had begun. But whether these were the 40. Martyrs who suffered the like punishment in Sebastia,So…om. l. 9.6.2. Basil. Magn. in 40. Martyrs. a towne of Armenia, or not, is not certaine, in respect that some circumstances set downe by Basil, doe agree to those of Sebastia.

Likewise in this persecution suffered Barlan a noble man mentioned in a Sermon of Basilius, who after many torments was in the end layd vponupon the altar, whereupon they vsed to offer sacrifice to Idols, and while there was some strength in his hand,The martyrdom of Barlan. they put frankencense into his right hand, thinking that hee would hauehave scattered the incense vponupon the altar, and sacrificed, but hee endured the torment patiently, saying the words of the Psalme, Blessed be the Lord who teacheth mine hands to fight. Psal. 145.Ps 145In the end Licinius made warre against Constantine, and being diverse times ouercome both by sea and land,The death of Licinius. hee yeelded himselfe at length, and was sent to Thessalia to liue a private life, where hee was slaine by the souldiers. So Constantine obtained the whole Empire alone.

Here end the ten Persecutions.