A Breviary of All the Greatest Persecutions, Part 2
THE Perſecution of the Church Under the Heathen ROMAN Emperours.
SECT. V.
The firſt Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti, 67.
DOmitius Nero, while in ſheets of fire
The Roman City caper'd, ſang t'his Lire
The incendiums of Troy, and from a Tow'r
Feaſted his eyes, to ſee the flames devour
Thoſe goodly ſtructures, and high Tow'rs of ſtate,
Which ſtartled the beholders eyes of late:
The Circus fell, the pondrous beams and ſtones,
Cruſhing to pieces many thouſand ones;
The fire burns others, and the flame and ſmoak
Nine dayes continu'd, a great number choak.
Thus Nero on himſelf an Odium brought;
And to excuſe himſelf, transfer'd the fault
Upon the harmleſs Chriſtians: it was they
Had done it out of malice; no delay
Detards his haſty feet from ſhedding bloud:
VVhere e're he comes, he makes a crimſon floud
Flow down the ſtreets: in wild-beaſts skins he wraps
Chriſtians, and throws them to dogs worr'ing chaps.
In paper ſtiffened with molten wax,
He packs up ſome; and puts on others backs
A ſearcloth-coat, and bolt upright them bound
To axle-trees, firſt pitched in the ground,
Then at the botom fir'd: theſe conſtant flames
Afforded light to Nero's nightly games
Kept in his garden: other ſome he takes,
And goars in length upon erected ſtakes.
This perſecution through th'whole Empire ſpred;
So that the Cities were repleniſhed
With ſlaught'red carkaſes; the old, the young,
And naked women, altogether flung.
Such was his rage, a Chriſtians loathed name
He ſtrove t'extirpate whereſoe're he came.
At four years end, this direful blaſt expires
In Paul and Peter, two bright-ſhining fires.
Peter (as he deſir'd) was crucifi'd
With his head downward; ſo a Martyr dy'd.
And Paul, his faith's confeſſion having ſpoke,
Yielded his neck unto the fatal ſtroke.
SECT. VI.
The ſecond Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno 96.
DOmitian his brother Titus ſlaies,
And doth the ſecond perſecution raiſe:
(For whilſt Veſpaſian and his ſon remain'd,
The Church with golden links of Peace was chain'd)
He flew the Roman Nobles; and decreed
The extirpation of David's ſeed,
John, the belov'd Diſciple, boyl'd in oyl,
Unhurt,Anno 97 was baniſh'd into Patmos lfle.
One Simcon Biſhop of Jerus'lem, dy'd
Upon the croſs: a number more beſide
Of Chriſtians he impoveriſh'd, and ſent
Them out, to lead their lives in baniſhment.
The Roman Senate paſſed this decree,
That Chriſtians ſhould not have their libertie
VVhen brought before the Judgment-ſeat, unleſs
They deviate from their Religiouſneſs.
The Heatheniſh Idolaters deviſe
Againſt the Saints abomniabile lies,
And envious ſlanders; That they were ſeditious,
Inceſtuous, rebellious, and pernicious
Unto the Empire; none could them importune,
By any means, to ſwear by Caſars fortune.
If famine, plague, or war amongſt them came,
The Chriſtians were the Authors of the ſame.
And look what accuſations they related,
Domitian was the more exaſperated;
And us'd what e're mans wicked wit invents;
Stripes, Rackings, Scourgings, and Impriſonments,
Deep dungtons, Stoning, Strangling, the Gridiron,
Cibbet, and Gallows, red-hot plates t'environ
The tendreſt parts; the teeth of ſalvage bears;
The horns of Buls, and ſticking up on ſpears, &c.
Thus kill'd, a lawful burial was deny'd them:
Pil'd up and tear-throat dogs were left beſide them.
Though Chriſtians ſufferings were very ſore,
Yet ſtill the Church encreaſed more and more,
In the Apoſtles doctrine deeply grounded,
And with the blood of Martyr'd Saints ſurrounded.
Good Timothy, Religious from his youth,
Was ſtoned, as a witneſs to the truth,
By thoſe that worſhipped Diana bright:
One Dionyſius th' Arcopagite
VVas ſlain at Paris by a treach'rous villan.
Protaſius and Gervaſius fell at Millain.
SECT. VII.
The third Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti 108.
DOmitian being by his ſervants ſlain,
Nerva ſucceeded; in whoſe gracious reign
(VVhichWhich was but thirteen months) the Saints enjoy'd
A peaceful ſeaſon, and were not deſtroy'd.
Trajan, next him, the Roman crown put on;
He 'twas rais'd the third Perſecution,
VVorſe then the former were; which did incite
An*Plinius ſecundus. heatheniſh Philoſopher to write
I'th' Chriſtians behalf, to Trajan ſhewing,
That whereas many thouſands in his viewing
VVere killed; yet, contraite the Roman Laws
None did, which might ſuch Perſecution cauſe;
Saving that every morn by break of day,
They to a God call'd Chriſt did ſing and pray:
In other things they were to be commended.
Trajan returns this anſwer: he intended
To ſearch them out no more; but if they were
Brought and convicted, them he would not ſpare.
Sentence confus'd!Tertullian. he them as harmleſs tenders,
And yet would have them puniſh'd as offenders.
The rage was by this act a little curb'd:
Yet ill-diſpoſed men the Peace diſturb'd;
Eſpecially, if new commotions flam'd
Amongſt them, then the Chriſtians muſt be blam'd.
Trajan commands the lineage of David,
Which could be found, ſhould by no means be ſaved
He Phocas, Pontus Biſhop, caſt in's wrath,
Firſt int'a lime-kiln, next a ſealding bath.
Ignatius, and many thouſands more
Expoſed to the wild beaſts to devour:
Nor did in Adrian's reign this fury ſlake,
Ten thouſand ſufferd for the Lord Chriſt's ſake.
In Ararath thouſands were crucifi'd,
Crowned with thorns, and thruſt into the ſide
VVith needle-pointed darts, in imitation
Of Chriſt, our bleſſed Lord and Saviours paſſion.
Fauſtiu us, Zenon, and Euſtachius,
Dy'd for the truth.Vere Magnus Deus Chriſtansrum. VVhen Calocerius
Saw how the Saints did bear afflictions rod,
He cry'd out, Truly, great's the Chriſtians God:
For which he apprehended, did become
Partaker likewiſe of their Martyrdom.
Symphoriſſa, a fair and vertuous dame,
Hang'd up by th'hair, was ſcourged for Chriſts name,
And then made faſt unto a pondrous ſtone,
Into the boſom of a river thrown:
Seven ſons ſhe had, all ſtak'd, rack'd, and at laſt
Thruſt thorough, were into a deep pit caſt.
Adrian b'ing come to Athens, ſacrific'd
After the Greekiſh manner; authoriz'd
Any that would, to perſecute, abuſe
VVhoever in contempt ſhould it refuſe.
Quadratus, an Athenian Biſhop, hence
Did out of zeal i'th' Chriſtians defence
Write learned Tractares: Serenus did do
The like; and famous Ariſtides too;
Declaring that'twas neither right nor reaſon
In harmleſs perſons; and no other fault
Should bring their lives in danger, at th'aſſault
Of th'hair-brain'd rabble; th' Emperour hereat
Grew milde, and pity'd their afflicted ſtate.
After him Antonius Pius ſwaid
And he this perſecuting ſtorm allaid.
Gods word's fulfill'd, the wicked's rod ſhall not
Alwayes remain upon the righteous lot.Pſa. 125. 3.
SECT. VIII.
The fourth Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti 162.
NOw Antoninus Verus, Pius ſon,
(Who dead) rais'd the third perſecution.
Germanious, Pionius, Metrodore,
Polycarp, Carpus, and a number more
In Aſia burn'd. Felicit as at Rome,
With her ſeven children ſuffered Martyrdome.
Scourg'd was her eldeſt Son; and after, preſt
To death with leaden weights, attain'd true reſt.
The two next had their brains knockt out with mauls:
The 4th thrown headlong down a prec'pice, ſprawls
With his broke neck: The three that do remain,
Muſt loſe their heads. In fine, the Mother's ſlain.
Concordus ſuffered; who in diſgrace,
Did ſpirt out ſpittle in the Idols face.
In France the Chriſtians under went all wrongs;
As Scourgings, ſtonings, and the ſpatt'ring tongues
Of railing Rabſhakeh's: at home, abroad,
Their backs muſt tolerate afflictions load:
Yet well they knew, that griefs were tranſitory,
If but compared to eternal glory.
Sanchis the Biſhop of Vienna, ſtood
Unmov'd, under ſuch pains, as fleſh and blood
Could not endure to bear:no torments could
Prevail to make him to let go his hold.
When he was ask'd, where he was born and bred;
He, I'm a Chriſtian, onelyonly anſwered:
And when another did demand his name,
Urging it much, his anſwer was the ſame:
A third enquir'd, whether he were a man,
Or bond, or free; I am a Chriſtian,
He ſtill reply'd: no torments could divorce
His conſtant lips from uſing that diſcourſe.
When there were plates of candent Braſs apply'd
I'his tendreſt parts: O how did he abide
That ſcorching heat! nor was he ſeen to ſhrink,
As did his body: while his tort'rers think,
With new ſupplies to force his recantation,
He quite contrary to their expectation,
VVas ſo reſtor'd, that what he did endure
Theſe latter times, did prove his Sov'raign cure.
At laſt plac'd in a red-hot iron chair,
His ſpir'e (with others) vaniſh'd into Air.
Thus were the holy Saints, from morn to night,
A ſpectacle unto the people's ſight.
Biblides in the midſt of pains ſpake thus,
Ah! how ſhould we (as you report of us)
VVe Chriſtians, think you, of our babes make food?
VVhen we not taint our lips with beſtial blood.
Attalus frying, thus Your ſelves do eat
Mans fleſh: and as for us, we loath ſuch meat.
B'ing asked what he call'd their God by name;
He anſwer'd, Man's and his was not the ſame.
Then let your God, if that a God he be
So powerfull (ſaid they) come ſet you free.
Pont'cus a youth of fourteen years of age,
Perpaſs'd the utmoſt of the fo-mens rage.
VVilde beaſts are put to Blandina, but they;
More merciful then men, would go their way.
VVhipped ſhe is, then broyl'd and thrown on ground
For Buls to tear: from every gaping wound
Blood guſhes forth, and runneth out afreſh
From th'u…ſtopp'd chinks of her bemangled fleſh.
She felt no paine, by reaſon ſhe was fill'd
VVith ſpir'tual joy: ſhe at the laſt was kill'd.
The bodies of the Saints were made a mock,
A ſcorn, a by-word, and a laughing-ſtock
I'th' open ſtreets, till thrice two Suns were down,
Then burn'd their aſhes in the river thrown.
Th' Apoſtatized Chriſtians, which came
Unto their tryals, did confeſs their ſhame
By down-caſt looks, and ſorrow-boding faces;
The Gentiles pulveriz'd them with diſgraces,
As perſons too degenerous, addicted
To vice, deſerving what ſhould be inflicted:
But they which conſtant to the laſt remain'd,
VVent with a cheerful brow, and entertain'd
An obvious death; and, as it were combin'd
Their glorious rayes, and like to Phoebus ſhin'd.
So have I ſeen a fair and comly Bride,
Richly attir'd, with what a decent pride
She quits her conclave, or interior room,
Who drawing neer, about her neck doth fall,
And ſeals his favours on her lips withall.
Faith as an ornament the ſoul endows;
Chriſt is the Bridegroom, and the Church the Spouſe
Prepares to meet him, and direct her paces,
They he may hug her with entwin'd embraces.
They meet; Chriſt & his following Spouſe do clamber
Up by ſteep ſtaires; heaven is the Bridal Chamber:
Where, with Unknown delights, they are poſſeſt
Of ſweet repoſes, and eternal reſt.
Marcus Aurelius, and Antonius go
To war againſt the Quades the Vandals too:
Their Army by innum'rous foes beſet,
Were ſo put to't, the ſouldiers could not get
The leaſt of water, their thirſt to allay:
VVith that, a Chriſtian Legion fell to pray,
(VVithdrawing from the reſt) the heav'n disburſt
Abundant ſhow'rs; the Romans quench'd their thirſt:
Againſt their enemies, ſuch lightnings flaſh'd,
As made them fly diſcomfited and daſh'd.
The Emp'rour pleas'd hereat, commands that none
Kill Chriſtians more, whoſe God ſuch things had done:
And his (which was not long in force) decree
Burn'd the accuſers, ſet th'accuſed free.
SECT. IX.
The fifth Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti 205.
WHen Peace-maintaining Pertinax was dead,
Servere Severus reigned in his ſtead;
By envious rumors, and through falſe ſuggeſtion,
The Chriſtians lives were dayly brought in queſtion.
The King commands; his willing Subjects ſtrive
To bring't about, that none be left a live.
In Sun-burnt Affrick, Cappadocia,
In Carthage and in Alexandria.
So that the aumber ſlain was numberleſs;
Origen's father, with whom Origen
His ſon had dy'd, had not his mother bin
An hinderance, in that ſhe did convey,
The night before, his ſhirt and cloaths away;
Hereat, he not for fear of Martyrdome,
But ſhaming to be ſeen, remain'd at home.
Tertullian, Irenaus, Andoclus,
Urbanus, Satyrus, Secundulus,
Perpetua, Felicit as, and Rhais,
Did by untimely deaths conclude their dayes.
Caſpodius, a Divine, drag'd up and down
The ſtreets; at laſt was into Tyber thrown.
Cecilia Idolatry contemn'd,
And therefore by the Judge muſt be condemn'd;
The Sergeants minding how ſhe did behave her,
How fair ſhe was; ſollicite her, to favour
Her ſelf, and not to caſt her ſelf away;
She was but young, and many a merry day
Might live to ſee: but ſhe diſcreetly ſent
Such gracious words, as caus'd them to relent,
And unto that religion yield their hearts
'Gainſt which they threw their perſecuting darts.
Which, when perceiv'd, leav gain'd, ſhe runs her home
and for Ʋrbanus ſends: Ʋrbanus come,
He grounds them in the faith ſo highly priz'd.
Four hundred do believe and are baptiz'd.
This holy Martyr afterwards was ſhut
Twice twelve hours in a Bath; at laſt they cut
Her head off from her ſhoulders: thus ſhe ended
Her dayes, and up into the clouds aſcended.
Agapetus, of fifteen years of age,
VVas ſcourg'd, then hang'd up by the feet: in rage
He ſcalded was; unto the wild beaſts roſt;
But they not hurting him, his head he loſt.
Pamachius, a Roman Senator,
VVith's wife, his children, and neer fourty more,
All in one day beheaded were; their pates
Fixed on high, over the City gates,
As Bug-bears to affright and ſcare the reſt
From Chriſtianity, which it profeſt.
Potamiena, (boyling Pitch being pour'd
Upon her naked fleſh) the flames devour'd.
And Zepherinus; after him Ʋrbanus,
Both Roman Biſhops; good Valerianus,
Tybartius too, two Noble men of Rome,
For their Religion ſuffer'd Martyrdome.
Gainſt Narciſs, three falſe witneſſes ſuborn'd;
Th'one loſt his eyes, the fire a ſecond burn'd;
The third lay languiſhing: thus we may ſee
Th'accuſers ſuffer, the accus'd go free.
Antiochus fell down, and having cry'd,
His bowels burn'd within him, ſadly dy'd.
SECT. X.
The ſixth Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti 237.
MAximinus (Severus dead and gon)
Stirr'd up the twice-third Perſecution:
Diſliv'd the Teachers, Leaders, and the beſt;
By this means thinking to ſeduce the reſt.
Thouſands were Martyred, whoſe names are loſt
With Or'gen's *De Martyrio.book, in which they were engroſt.
About this time Natalius, a Prieſt,
(Who much had ſuffer'd for the cauſe of Chriſt,)
Seduced was by Aſclepiodot
And Theodore, who promis'd to allot
A hundered and fifty ſilver Crowns
To him each month, if he would but renownce
The Chriſtian God, and give to theirs reſpect:
He did, and was a biſhop of their ſect:
But God (whoſe mercy would not have him loſt,
Who had ſo much endur'd, ſo oft been croſs'd)
Admoniſhed him by a viſion plain,
T'ad joyn himſelf to the true Church again:
Which the good man, b'ing for the preſent blinded
With gain and honour (as he ought) not minded.
He the night after b'ing by Angels ſcourg'd,
Did put on ſackcloth in the morn, and purg'd
His ſoul with tears: with doleful lamentation,
He runs in haſt to th'Chriſtian congregation:
Of all loves, and for Jeſus Chriſt his ſake,
Humbly entreating them, once more to take
Him into their ſociety, and quire,
Accordingly they granted his deſire.
Horſe-torn Hippol'tus dy'd: the Martyred
By ſixties in a pit were buried.
SECT. XI.
The ſeventh Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti 250.
DEcius, that cruel Emperour, begun
The ſeventh bloody perſecution:
Of which Niceph'rus thus; Can any tell
The ſands? they may the Martyr'd ſaints as well.
Fabian, that kept a Biſhoprick at Rome,
And the Kings treaſures, ſuffred Martyrdom.
Babilas dy'd in priſon; and a train
Of forty Virgins were in Antioch ſlain.
The Alexandrian Chriſtians are bereft
Of all their goods; yea, they have nothing left:
Yet they rejoyce, and are therewith content,
Knowing their ſubſtance is more permanent.
When Apollinea's teeth had daſh'd out bin,
A fire was made; they threat to throw her in:
She paus'd a while, (refuſing to be turn'd)
And gave a leap into the fire and burn'd.
Julian, Epimachus, and Alexander,
The flame conſum'd: many (poor ſouls) did wander
In the deſerted deſerts; others lives
Lay open, to the raging cut-throat's knives.
A certain Miniſter with pains oppreſt,
And fearing death, deſir'd to be releas'd:
A young man,Quid faciam vobis? pati timetis, exire nolitis then, too glorious to behold
For mortal eyes, appearing, did unfold
His angry lips: What would you have me do?
You dare not bear, and out you will not go.
Becauſe chaſt Theodora a did refuſe
To ſacrifice, they ſent her to the ſtews;
Where luſt-enflam'd young men for entrance preſs'd:
But Didymus ſlip'd in before the reſt,
Having the habit of a ſouldier on,
He chang'd for hers; and ſhe in his is gon.
Didymus ſtayes behind: b'ing found a man,
Confeſſing th'whole ſtate of the matter; ſo
He was condemn'd, and muſt to torment go:
Which Theodora a having underſtood;
To ſave the ſhedding of innocuous blood,
Comes to the Judge, and ſaid, I bear the guilt;
And lo I'm here, condemn me if thon wilt:
As for that man, I pray let him go free,
Let not your fury light on him, but me.
She was not heard; both for their lives were try'd,
Condemned both, Beheaded both, both dy'd.
No torments that the Praetor could deviſe,
Could force Nicetas t'offer ſacrifice:
He therefore him into a garden brought,
With all variety of pleaſures fraught:
There laid him down upon a bed of Down,
(A ſilken net ſoftly upon him ſtrown,)
Among the Lillies, and the fragrant Roſes,
Neer murm'ring ſtreams inviting ſweet repoſes;
To the ſweet whiſtling of the leaves mov'd by
A gentle gale, he left him: preſently
In comes a Strumpet gariſhly, attir'd,
And in a wanton dialect, deſir'd
The non-denial of her earneſt ſute,
To uſe her body lowly proſtitute.
Nicetas, (fearing he ſhould be by folly
Conqu'red, and led to do what was unholy,)
Bites off his tongue, and with a certain grace,
He ſpits it out into her whoriſh face;
So by this ſmarting wound he did prevent
Sins ſting, and conſequently puniſhment.
Nichomacus moſt ſenſible of pain,
I am no Chriſtian, cry'd; ſo was not ſlain:
He had no ſooner put his hand to evil,
But was poſſeſsed with an unclean devil,
And thrown with violence upon the ground,
Bit off his tongue, and died of the wound.
Many A poſtates were poſſeſs'd, and ſome
Suddenly ſtruck, (were ever after) dumb.
Though ſome thus fell away, others ſtood faſt,
Remaining glorious Martyrs to the laſt.
But Decius not long ſecurely ſlept:
For conquer'd by the Goths, with's horſe he leapt
Into a whirlpool, and therein was drown'd;
Nor was his body ever after found.
Yea, God throughout the Roman Empire ſpred
A ten-years plague, t'avenge the blood was ſhed.
Brotherly love the Chriſtians ſhew'd t'each other,
By viſiting, relieving one another:
But the Idolaters fled from, neglected,
Caſt out, not ſuccour'd, thoſe that were infected:
Shift onelyonly for themſelves, go where they will,
This ſpreading puniſment purſu'd them ſtill.
Gallus ſucceeding (Decius being dead)
This perſecution continued:
The weight of his diſpleaſure fell moſt heavy
Upon the ſhoulders of the Tribe of Levi.
He baniſh'd Cyprian, and more Divines,
Condemned others to the Metal-Mines:
T'whom Cyprian wrote letters cons'latory
Shewing, affliction is the Saints true glory;
Deep wounds and ſcars are to a Chriſtian breſt
As Ornaments to bring them in requeſt
With God himſelf; to multiply their fame,
And not as markes of ſtigmatized ſhame.
And though the naked Mines afford no beds,
Can they want eaſe that lay in Chriſt their heads?
What if their aking bones lie o'th' cold floor?
Is't pain to lie with Chriſt? ſay they are poor,
Yet are they rich in faith: ſuppoſe their hands
Be manacled, put eaſe coacted bands
Hold their worn ſeet: Can he be ſaid to be
Fetter'd with chains, whom the Lord Chriſt doth free?
He lies ty'd in the ſtocks, thereby whoſe feet
To run a heav'nly race become more fleet.
Nor can a Chriſtian be bound ſo faſt,
But his life's crown, adds wings unto his haſt.
They have no clothes, cold weather to reſiſt:
Can he be naked who hath put on Chriſt?
Do they want bread? Chriſt is the bread of life,
That commeth down from heaven, in him is riſe:
Man by the word which doth from God proceed,
Is ſaid to live, and not alone by bread.
What matter is't though you deformed ſeem?
You ſhall be honour'd, and of great eſteem:
Your God will turn your miſerable dayes
To peace; your mournings into ſongs of praiſe:
You ſail through troublous Seas, to be poſſeſt
Of heaven, the haven of eternal reſt,
And do not grieve, becauſe you are forbid
To ſerve the Lord, (as formerly you did)
In your Parochial places, God's enclin'd
T'accept th' endeavours of a willing minde:
The dayly ſacrifices you impart,
God loves; a broken and a contrite heart
His ſoul takes pleaſure in: he doth regard,
His ſervants tears, and will at laſt reward
Fidelious breſts, which do confeſs his name:
Promis'd he hath, and will perform the ſame.
SECT. XII.
The eighth Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti 259.
VAlerian next adds fuel to the fire,
And blows the flames of perſecution higher;
By an Egyptian Sorcerer beguil'd,
He now is cruel, who before was milde.
The Chriſtians are baniſhed his Court,
Where lately he allow'd them to reſort;
Nor was this all; young men, maids, husbands, wives,
All ſorts, and ranks, muſt loſe (dear hearts!) their lives.
Three hundred ſouls, then by the Preſident
Of Carthage were into a lime-kiln ſent.
Three Virgins firſt had Vinegar and gall
Forc'd down their throats; then ſcourg'd, then rack'd and all
Beſmeared were with lime: then broil'd, then caſt
To wild beaſts, and beheaded at the laſt.
When Cyprian long had born afflictions yoke,
His neck ſubmitted to the fatal ſtroke.
Sixtus a Biſhop of the City Rome,
And his ſix Deacons, ſuffer'd Martyrdome.
Laurence the ſeventh, as along he went
With Sixtus going to his puniſhment,
Complain'd he might not (ſeeing he had rather
Suffer then live) die with his Rev'rend father.
Sixtus reply'd, before three dayes were out
He ſhould come after: go and give about
I'th' interim thy treaſures to the poor:
Th' obſerving Judge ſuppoſing he had ſtore
Of wealth crock'd up, commanded him to bring
All that he had: For to effect which thing,
Laurence crav'd three dayes reſpit; in which ſtock
Of time, he gath'red a poor Chriſtian flock
Into a ring; the fourth day doth afford
New light, and he muſt now make good his word.
Being enforc'd by a ſeverer charge,
Couragious Laurence doth his arms enlarge
Over the needy throng, and ſaid, Theſe be
The precious Jewels of the Church: ſee, ſee,
Here treaſure is indeed; here Chriſt doth dwell.
But Oh! what tongue ſufficiently can tell
The raving fury which the Tyrant acted;
How he did ſtamp, did ſtare like one diſtracted?
His eyes did ſparkle, his gnaſh'd teeth ſtruck fire,
And's mouth all in a foam, thus wreak'd his ire:
Kindle the fire; Faggots on Faggots fling:
What, doth the villain thus delude the King?
Away, away with him; whip beat him ſore;
Jeſteth the Traitor with the Emperour?
Pinch him with red-hot tongs; let candent plates
Engird the Raskals loyns; heat, heat the grates;
And when y'have bound the Rebell hand and foot;
On with him, roſt him, broil him: look you do't,
On pain of our diſpleaſure; toſs him, turn him;
I charge you, do not leave him till you burn him,
And that to cindars too: each man fulfill
His office quick, and execute my will.
Revenge findes nimble hands; the tort'ters lay
Him on a ſoft Down-bed; I will not ſay,
A fi'ry iron one: God made it ſo,
That it afforded Lanrence eaſe, not woe.
Valerians heart burns, Laurence fleſh doth roft;
'Tis doubtful whether was tormented moſt.
Then Laurence thus:
Tyrant, this ſide's enough: turn up the reſt;
Or roſt or raw, try which thou likeſt beſt.
SECT. XIII.
The ninth Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti 278.
CLaudius, and after him Quintilian, (reign)
(Both which but one and thrice three years did
Maintain'd the Churches Peace: while they endur'd,
The Saints were happy, and their lives ſecur'd.
Aurelian, nat'rally ſevere and cruel,
Succeeds; his rage fomented by the fuel
Of miſ-informing ſiniſter ſuggeſtions,
Prov'd Tyrannous; his Nephew's life he queſtions;
And queſtioning, abrepts: then he begun
To ſtir up the ninth perſecution.
But thus it happ'ned: while he went about
To ſeal the Edict that was iſſuing out,
There did a Thunder-bolt ſo neer him fall,
That he was kill'd, 'twas the conſent of all.
The Emp'rour ſtrake with ſuch aſtoniſhment,
Gave over his Tyrannical intent.
He after ſix years reign was murthered:
And the Church forty four years flouriſhed
Under a various Emp'rour. O what peace
Doth crown the Chriſtians brows! what large increaſe
Of honour doth betide them! they reſort
Unto the Court, who lately were a ſport
T'inſulting foes: and they that were a prey,
Are prais'd and priz'd: who now more great then they?
While thus the Chriſtians bath'd themſelves in quiet,
Their natures drew them to exceſſive riot,
T'indulge to idleneſs, to ſcold, and brawl
For very trifles, or nothing at all;
With railing words beſpatt'ring one another,
Moving ſedition againſt each other:
Biſhops with Biſhops; and the vulgar train
Do with the vulgar altricate for gain:
Thus, thus their ſins encreaſed ev'ry day,
Till Gods wrath came, where ſin chalk'd out the way:
And now the Chriſtians enemies abound,
Laying their Churches level with the ground;
Burn ſacred Writs. I'th'open market-places;
Purſue their Prieſts, and load them with diſgraces:
Slanders and contumelious opprobries,
Abhor'd their Doctrine, and their words deſpiſe.
SECT. XIV.
The tenth Primitive Perſecution, which began Anno Chriſti 308.
TVVo Tyrants, Diocleſian in the VVeſt
And Maximinian in the Eaſt, diſtreſs'd
The Saints of God: the foe-men overcome,
They inſtituted ſolemn games at Rome,
As glad memorials of their b'ing victorious:
Nay Diocleſian was ſo vain-glorious,
He needs would be a god, and be ador'd
By ev'ry bended-knee, as ſupream Lord:
Nor did he ſtick to ſay, that he was brother
Unto the Sun and Moon, as was no other.
His ſhoes adorn'd with gold and Precious ſtones,
The people kneeling on their marrow-bones
He bid to kiſs his ſeet, (O height of pride!)
He perſecution rais'd; at Eaſter tide
Places of Divine worſhip he or'eturn'd;
And in contempt the Sacred Scripture burn'd,
Some Elders of the Church were torn in ſunder;
The reſt variety of deaths went under.
Sylvanus Biſhop, with him thirty nine,
Ended their ſorrowes in a Mettle-Mine.
The Tyrian Chriſtians (none this fury ſpares)
VVere caſt to Lyons, Leopards, and Bears
Kept hungry for that purpoſe: male-content,
The beaſts not touched them; their claws were bent
At other preyes; they vehemently rage
'Gainſt thoſe which brought the Chriſtians on the ſtage,
And ſeiz'd on them; who though they thought they ſtood
Out of harms way, became the wild beaſts food.
And afterwards, theſe holy Martyrs ſlain,
VVere ſoon committed to the foaming main.
The Syrian Paſtors lay in priſon chain'd;
Zenobius a Phyſician, Brick-bats brain'd.
Yea good Serena Diocleſians wife,
Was for religions ſake depriv'd of life.
The Martyrs blood ran like a flowing tide,
Such an innumerable number dy'd.
Upon a Chriſtmas-day Maximinus fir'd
A Church whereto the Chriſtians retir'd,
To celebrate that joyful day, wherein
Jeſus was born to ſave them from their ſin.
He alſo did a Phrygian City burn,
And all th' inhabitants which would not turn.
Forty young Gentlemen of good repute,
Confeſs'd their faith, and boldly did refute
Falſe wayes: their names up to the Marſhal gave,
Who ſeeing them ſo gallantly behave
Themſelves, admit'd, and ſtood in a quandary,
What courſe to take; his anxious thoughts did vary:
Reſolved, he try'd what fair words would do;
Proff'ring them money, and preferment too:
They anſwer'd thus; We nothing do deſire,
But Chriſt alone; the wheel, the croſs, the fire,
Are eaſie pains. His eyes the Marſhal caſts
Upon a pond expos'd to northern blaſts;
Bids them be ſtripp'd unto their naked skin;
'Twas winter weather, yet they muſt go in,
There ſtay all night. We put not off our cloaths,
Say they, but our old man, which God ſo loaths.
The pond receiv'd them, and the nipping froſt
Stiffened their members; breath not fully loſt
When day appear'd unto the wakened world,
They were took out, and burn'd; their aſhes hurl'd
Into the gliding ſtreams.—
In France, in Colen Italy, and Spain,
Were many millions of Chriſtians ſlain,
As witneſſed unto the truth: in Trevers
The brookes of blood diſcolour'd ample Rivers.
This perſecution run along, and came
Into our Britain, where the Chriſtians flame.
Beſides the kindes of deaths, the torments were
So great, that they unutterable are;
As whippings, ſcourgings, rackings, hackings, manglings,
Hangings, bangings, prickings, kickings, ſtranglings,
Smoakings, choakings, roſtings, ſcorchings, ſpoylings,
Cuttings, guttings, flayings, fryings, broylings:
Some manded to the mines, others were quarter'd;
In brief, there were ſeventeen thouſand Martyr'd
In one months ſpace; yet ſtill the Chriſtians joy'd,
And ſtill encreas'd, the more they were deſtroy d.
Galerius invading Antiech,
Romanus runs, and tells the Chriſtian flock,
That wolves, which would devour them up, were neer:
But therewithal, exhorts them not to fear
The greateſt perils, but that young and old
Would be couragious, reſolute and bold,
To hazard life and limb, for to maintain
God's cauſe and theirs. With that, an armed train
Pour'd in upon them; but the Chriſtian throng
Arm'd with the ſtaffe of faith, were too too ſtrong
For them to grapple with then: ſpeedy word
Was ſent their Captain, that no power of ſword
Could e're prevail; it was in vain to ſtrive
Againſt the ſtream Romanus yet alive.
The ireful Captain, in a ſume, commands
Romanus be deliver'd to his hands.
Romanus comes; thus did the Captain ſay,
And art thou then the Author of this fray?
Art thou the cauſe why thus ſo many fall?
By Iove I ſwear that anſwer for them all
Thou ſhalt; and that e're thee and I do part,
I'll make thee undergo the ſelf-ſame ſmart
Thou do'ſt encourage others to abide.
Galerius ceas'd: Romanus thus reply'd;
Tyrant, I hug, and willingly embrace
Thy ſentence; know, I count it no diſgrace
To be for my dear breth'ren ſacrific'd,
By worſt of torments that can be devis'd.
Galerius raging at this anſwer ſtout,
Commands his men to truſs him and draw out
His bowels. Th' executioners defer
Such horrid deeds, and ſay, Not ſo good Sir,
He is of noble Parents, and his breath
May not be ſtop'd by an ignoble death.
Scourge him then ſoundly, let your yerking laſhes,
Weighty with leaden knobs, cut wounds, and gaſhes.
To whom Romanus uſed this expreſſion;
Not my deſcent, but Chriſtian-like profeſſion
Nobilitateth me; be not therefore
More favourable, but inflict the more:
Your Idol worſhip I deteſt, deſpiſe,
And all your ſuperſtitious fooleries.
With that his ſides, his naked ſides, were lanc'd
This bones; yet ſtill this bleſſed Saint advanc'd
The living God, and Chriſt, whom he hath ſent:
Then were his teeth ſtruck out, for this intent
He might not ſpeak ſo audibly: his face
Was buffeted, his cheeks were ſlic'd; nor was
This all; nails tear his eyelids: from his chin
They pluck'd his beard, and with his beard the skin:
Yet this meek Martyr ſaid, I give to thee
O Captain, thanks, for opening wide to me
So many mouths, whereby to ſhew the power
Of God, and Jeſus Chriſt my Saviour:
Look Tyrant look, upon my various wound;
So many mouths have I, Gods praiſe to ſound
The Captain wond'ring at his conſtancy,
Ceaſed to exerciſe more cruelty:
Yet menaced to burn him, and did ſay
Thy cru'fi'd Chriſt is but of yeſterday,
The Gentiles gods of longer ſtanding are.
Romanus takes occaſion to declare
Th' eternity of Chriſt: of ſeven year old
Give me a childe (ſaid he) what he'll unfold
Liſten unto: From out the gazing throng
A pretty boy is pick'd: Romanus tongue
Beſpeaks him thus; My Lamb, ought we not rather
To worſhip Chriſt, and in this Chriſt one Father,
Then a plurality of Deities?
Speak, 'tis a good boy, ſpeak: the Child replies,
There needs muſt be but one God we conceive;
That there are more, we children can't believe.
Th'amazed Captain ſaid, Young villain, where,
And of whom learn'dſt thou this? my mother dear,
He anſwer'd, taught it me; this from her breaſt
I ſuck'd in with my milk, that I muſt reſt
My faith in Chriſt alone, and in no other.
In comes rejoycingly the ſent-for mother;
The child's hors'd up and ſcourg'd, the ſtanders by,
With wat'ry eyes behold this cruelty;
While the glad mother, a tear-leſs Spectator
Chides her ſweet babe, for asking for cold water:
After that cup ſhe chargeth him to thirſt
The babes drank of, which were in Bethlem nurs'd:
Upon my bleſſing, I ſaac record,
Proff'ring his neck unto his father's ſword.
Then did the barbarous tormentor pull
The hair, the skin, and all, from the childs ſcull.
The mother cryes, This pain will ſoon be gon;
Suffer, my child, my ſweet-ſac'd child, anon
Thou'lt paſs to him, who will adorn thy head
With an eternal crown, a crown indeed!
Thus doth the mother chear the child: the child
Takes heart to graſs, and in his pains he ſmil'd.
The Tyrant ſeeing how the Child ſtood faſt,
Himſelf ſubdu'd, commands him to be caſt
Into a ſtinking Dungeon, whilſt that pain
Unto Romanus was renew'd again.
Romanus is drag'd forth, to have a freſh
Supply of ſtripes, on his bemangled fleſh.
Diſcovering the bare bones, a ſecond ſmart
Augmenteth each already-wounded part.
Nor was this yet enough; cut, prick'd, and pounc'd
He ſuddenly muſt be; then was denounc'd
A final ſentence 'gainſt him, and the child;
Both muſt be burn'd, their torments were too milde;
The tort'rers did too favourably deal.
Romanus boldly ſaid, I do appeal
From this ungodly ſentence of thine own,
To Chriſt his righteous Tribunal Throne,
Who is an upright Judge; not that I fear
Thy merc'leſs handling; no, I more can bear
Then thou canſt lay upon me; but that I
May ſhew thy judgments to be cruelty,
The childe's demanded of his mother; ſhe,
Embracing it, deliver'd it to be
Bereav'd of life; and when the fatal ſtroke
Was given, Farewel, ſweet child, Farewel, ſhe ſpoke:
All praiſe O Lord, with heart and word,
Ʋnto thy name we render:
The Saints that dye, are in thine eye
Moſt precious, dear, and tender.
The childs head's off, the mother tender-hearted
Enwrap'd it in her lap, and ſo departed.
Romanus then into the fire is flung:
A ſtorm extinguiſh'd it; and now his tongue
Muſt take a farewel of his head; his neck
Becomes the ſubject of a halters check.
One Gordius having liv'd a certain time
In deſerts, counted it at laſt a crime
Not to endure; he therefore when a game
Was celebrated unto Mars, forth came,
And up in a conſpicuous place b'ing got,
He ſaid, I'm found of thoſe that ſought me not:
Then apprehended, he his faith confeſſes;
And in the midſt of torment this expreſſes:
God's my adjutor, Ah! why ſhould I than
Fear in the leaſt the Tyranny of man?
Nothing ſhall me diſmay, that can fall out;
Thou Lord art with me, fencing me about
With Bullwarks of thy love; thy favour ſtill
Surrounds me: Ah! how can I then fear ill?
Theſe torments are but light, which I endure;
Let heavier come. Tormentors, pray procure
Subſtantialler then theſe; theſe are too ſmall:
Gibbits? and racks? as good have none at all.
VVhen foul means could not ſhake his faith in Chriſt,
He was by ſpecious promiſes entic'd:
But Gordius ſaid, I do expect in heaven
Greater preferments, then on earth are given.
Now for this good man going to be burn'd,
How many tender-hearted perſons mourn'd!
To whom he thus; Let not your brimfill'd-eyes
Weep ſhowres for me, but for God's enemies;
VVho make a fire for us, But in concluſion,
Purchaſe a greater to their own confuſion:
O weep for them, or none; good people curb
Thoſe gliding ſtreams, and do not thus diſturb
My calmed minde: for truely I could bear
A thouſand deaths for Chriſt, and never fear.
Some pity'd him, while others, ſtanding by,
Perſwade him to deny Chriſt verbally,
And to himſelf reſerve his conſcience.
My tongue, ſaid he, will under no pretence
Deny its donor: unto righteouſneſs
Our hearts believe, but 'tis our tongues confeſs
Unto ſalvation; O let me excite
You all to ſuffer for a cauſe ſo right:
Good folks, fulfill a dying mans deſire.
So ſaid, he ceas'd, and leap'd into the fire.
One Menas, an Egyptian born and bred,
Leaving his temporal ſubſiſtence, led
A ſolitary life, in deſert places;
Where he might wholly exerciſe his graces,
In faſting, prayer, meditation, fit
And dil' gent reading of the ſacred Writ.
At laſt return'd to Cot is, when the croud
Were at their paſtimes, he proclaim'd aloud
Himſelf to be a Chriſtian: then ſurpriz'd,
His faith in God more boldly he agniz'd.
Torments enſu'd; no torments could revoke
His minde, but thus he confidently ſpoke:
In my minde, nothing comparable is
To the enjoyment of eternal bliſs:
Nay, all the world, if put into one ſcale,
Is lighter then one ſoul: VVho can prevail,
To diſunite us from the love of Chriſt?
Can tribulation? anguiſh? he's the high'ſt;
To him will I look up; he bids me fear not
Thoſe that can kill me bodily, but are not
Able to hurt the ſoul: but fear him who
Hath pow'r to ſlay the ſoul and body too,
And fling them into hell. Having receiv'd
The final ſentence, up to heaven he heav'd
His eyes, hands, heart, and ſaid: O Lord my maker,
Thanks be to thee, in that I am partaker
Of Chriſt his precious blood: thou haſt not let
My foes devour me, but haſt beſet
My heav'n-fix'd ſoul with ſuch true conſtancy,
That in the faith I liv'd, for that I die.
The lift up axe, upon his neck falls down,
And ſo he loſt his head, but found a Crown.
In Portugal a Noble Virgin nam'd
Eulalia, of twelve years old, enflam'd
With holy zeal, moſt earneſtly deſir'd
To ſuffer death, and heartily requir'd
The bleſt aſſiſtance of Gods willing arm,
And faith all her corruptions to charm:
Her godly Parents, fearing ſhe ſhould come
T'antimely death, did keep her cloſe at home;
But ſhe (not brooking long delay) by night
Stole out of doors, by that time it was light
She came into the City, and appearing
Before the Judge, ſpake boldly in his hearing:
What, no Shame in you? will you ſtill be bent
To ſhoot your arrowes at the innocent?
Never have done (becauſe no power controuls)
To break their bodies, and afflict their ſouls?
Are you deſirous what I am to know?
I am a Chriſtian, and an open foe
Unto your diabolick ſacrifices:
As for your Idols, them my ſoul deſpiſes:
I do aknowledge, with my voice and hert,
Th'all-powerfull God: Hangman, in ev'ry part
Come cut and mangle me, dishead me, burn me;
What ever thou canſt do, ſhall never turn me.
Alas! alas! my fleſh is too too weak,
And may be conquer'd; thou maiſt eas'ly break
This brittle Casket: but my inward minde
A jewel is which thou ſhalt never finde.
Then thus the angry Judge; Here Hangman, take her,
Drag her out by the hair, to torments; make her
Be ſenſible of what our Gods can do,
And we: But yet before thou undergo
A miſerable end, O ſturdy girle,
I'de fain have thee recant; life is a pearl
Too precious to loſe: call but to minde
Thy Noble Birth, and be not ſo unkinde
To thine own ſelf as to neglect thy fortune;
Methinks the gliſt'ring Bride-bed ſhould importune
Thee to preſerve thy life: bar not thine ears,
But be entreated by thy Parents tears,
Not to contemn th' Aurora of thy time;
The flower of thy youth is in its prime,
And wilt thou ſlight it now? well, if thou wilt,
Know, that to make thee anſwer for thy guilt,
Engines are ready; if thoul't not be turn'd,
Thou ſhalt beheaded be, or rack'd, or burn'd:
What a ſmall matter is't, not worth this ſtrife,
To ſtrew incenſe? yet that ſhall ſave thy life.
Eulalia not reply'd, but ſpurn'd abroad
The incenſe heaps, and did with ſpittle load
The tyrants face: the Hangmaa having retch'd her;
With wilde-beaſts talons to the hard bones ſcratch'd
But ſhe ceas'd not to praiſe the Lord, and prize (her.
Th' attainment of theſe ſublime dignities.
VVith th' iron grate her mangled body's gor'd;
Her breſts, with flaming torches are devour'd;
Her long hair ſet on fire: ſhe opened wide
Her mouth, and ſucked in the flame, and di'd.
The Judge told Agues, if ſhe did refuſe
To ſacrifice, there was a common ſtews,
And in ſhe ſhould: the chaſt religious maid
Unto the flock'd-laſcivious youngſters ſaid,
Chriſt will not ſuffer this (I tell you true)
This ſpotleſs ſoul to be defil'd by you
By you baſe ſlaves to luſt: then was ſhe plac'd
Naked i'ch'ſtreet, and publickly diſgrac'd:
Amongſt the reſt, one ſcoffing at her ſhame,
A flame like to a flaſh of lightning came
And ſtruck out both his eyes; he falling down,
Did wallow in the dirt, while ſhe did crown
Her ſoul in praiſing God: the Judge ſends word
To th'executioner to ſheath his ſword
In her warm bowels; Agnes maketh haſt
To meet with him; ſhe cannot run ſo faſt.
O this (ſaid ſhe) this, this is he whom I
Am taken with: I long, I long to die:
My breſt ſtands fair; thruſt ſouldier, if thou wilt,
Thy glitt'ring rapier up unto the hilt.
Dear Father open wide the gates of heaven
To entertain my ſoul: her life's bereaven.
SECT. XV.
The Perſecution of the Chriſtians in Perfia, under Sapores, about the ſame time.
ANd now the Perſian Magicians bring
In accuſations, to Sapores King,
Againſt the Chriſtians, for their adhering
To Conſtantine the Great, (a crime paſt cleering.)
The King incens'd herewith, with taxes, fines,
Oppreſs'd them ſore, and killed their Divines:
Simeon their Prieſt was into priſon ſent,
For ſlighting Idol-gods; and as he went,
Ʋſthazares (a Chriſtian of late,
Since ſall'n away) who at the Court-gate ſate,
Eſpying him led by, obeyſance did him:
But Simeon for Apoſtatizing chid him.
The conſcious Eunuch ſuddenly let fall
A briny ſhowre; his coſtly garments all
Laid by, he mourn'd, and with dejected face,
Deplored thus his lamentable caſe:
Ah me! with what a brazen brow ſhall I
Look upon God, ſee'ng Simeon doth deny
His kinde ſalute? He to the King muſt go,
Who gently ask'd him why he mourned ſo?
If in my Palace thou want'ſt any thing
Speak man, and by the honour of a King
It ſhall be thine: that tolerable were;
But Ah! who can a wounded ſpirit bear?
'Tis this (ſaid he) that acerbates my woe;
I live, who ſhould have dyed long agoe;
This Sun I ſee, to which I ſeem'd to bow
Thereby denying Chriſt, to pleaſure you;
I'll take a ſolemn vow, for to adore
The great Creator, not the Creature more.
The King adjudged him to loſe his head;
And at his death at his requeſt 'twas ſpread,
Here's one that ſuffers not for any treaſon,
But for religion, and no other reaſon.
The Chriſtians which disheartened had bin
By his Apoſtacy he ſought to win
By his profeſſion and example too,
To take new courage, and to undergo
The like if need requir'd. Good Simeon
Rejoyc'd, and prais'd the Lord for what was don.
When the next Sun had rais'd them from their beds,
He and a hundred more all loſt their heads.
The King decreed, no mercy ſhould be us'd
To them which to adore the Sun refus'd.
The ſword rang'd over all the Perſian bounds;
Devour'd whole Cities, and unpeopled towns.
In brief, in all, during Sapore's reign
Were more then ſixteen thouſand Chriſtians ſlain,
SECT. XVI.
The Churches Perſecution under Julian the Apoſtata, Anno Chriſti 365.
NO ſooner was Conſtantius deceas'd,
Julian his nephew, of the Weſt and Eaſt
Is made ſole Emperour: he from his youth
Was well inſtructed in religion's truth:
His good behaviour and ingenious parts,
Made him a Load-ſtone to attract all hearts.
In brief, he had (what's difficult to finde)
The rare endowments of a vertuous minde.
But he Apoſtatiz'd: Satan his tutor,
Learn'd him to be the Churches perſecutor:
He op'd the Idol-Fanes, lock'd up before;
And when the Chriſtian faith grew more and more
By torments, he was pityful and mild,
And by his gifts and flatteries beguil'd
The weaker ſort, who avarous of gaia,
VVere drawn aſide: he alſo did ordain,
That none profeſſing Chriſtianitie,
Maſter of any Art ſhould dare to be,
Or any Officer: he did ſuborn
Jeſters, to load them with contempt and ſcorn:
Himſelf put none to death; yet did the crew
Of Heatheniſh Idolaters imbrew
Their hands in Chriſtian gore, brain'd them with ſtones,
And tore the fleſh from off their naked bones;
Drench'd ſome in ſcalding water; ſome were ſtipp'd
Stark naked; others had their bellies rip'd
And ſtuff'd with barly, for the greedy ſwine
To champ upon; while ſome with famine pine,
Some ſmear'd with honey up againſt the Sun,
In baskets hung, for VVaſps to feed upon.
The children neither ſpar'd father nor mother,
Nor parents chil'ren; no nor brother brother.
The fleſh-deprived bones of ſome were mix'd
VVith aſſes bones: here hangs on crucifix'd,
And there's one drag'd about the ſtreets; a third
Is taken captive like a twiglim'd bird.
VVhen Julian ſacrific'd to Fortune, one
Maris, Biſhop of blind-ey'd Chaleedon,
Sharply rebuk'd him, call'd him impious man,
Apoſtate, Atheiſt: to whom Julian
Retorts, Blind fool, thy God of Galiles
VVill not reſtore thy fight, and make thee ſee.
Maris reply'd, I am not ſo unkinde,
As not to thank my God which made me bliade,
Leſt that mine eyes, (turn'd from a better fight,)
Upon thy ſo ungracious face ſhould light.
Cyrillus, Deacon in Hier apolis,
Demoliſhed the Gentiles Images;
He's took, his belly's rip'd, his liver drawn
Out of his body, with their teeth is gnawn.
A little tract of time b'ing wheel'd about,
Their tongues were rocted, and their teeth fell out
Of their looſe ſockecs; their blind eyes no more
Beheld the objects they beheld before.
While of Apollo's Delphick Oracle
Julian enquir'd, a flaſh of lightning fell
From the collided clouds, which overturn'd
The Temple, and Apollo's Image burn'd.
The fines were more then they were ſeſſed at:
He ſcoff'd them thus; You ought to undergo
All wrongs: does not your God command you ſo?
Ath'nafius ſaid, This perſecution
Is but a little cloud,Beati Pauperes. 'twill ſoon be gon,
SECT. XVII.
The Churches Perſecution under the Arrian Hereticks, which began An. Chriſti 339.
GReat Conſtantine, a while before he dy'd,
Amongſt his ſons did equally divide
His Empire; to the rule he did aſſigne
Conſtantius, Conſtans, and Conſtantine:
Conſtantius, that governed the Eaſt,
Was ſoon ſeduced by an Arrian prieſt;
Who him inform'd, that Athanaſius
Return from exile was pernicious
Unto the publick good: incenſed then,
The Emp'rour ſent five thouſand armed men
To cut him ſhort: the Church was round beſet,
Yet he from them mirac'loufly did get;
Though many Arrians caſt their eyes about
For this intent,t'indigitate him out;
Not much unlike a ſheep ordain'd for ſlaughter:
Nor could this good man live in quiet after,
In baniſhment till he was forc'd to hide
In a deep pit, where he no light eſpide
For twice three years; and at laſt by a maid
That us'd to bring him food, he was betraid:
But God's directing ſpirit did befriend him;
He ſcap'd, before they came to apprehend him.
Thirty Egyptian Biſhops ſlain; twice ſeven
Were baniſhed; ſome in their way took heaven.
In Alexandria (the Arrians urg'd)
Twice twenty Orthodox Divines were ſcourg'd.
The Emperour, at his approaching death,
Griev'd for his changing of the Nicene faith.
Valens held on theſe damnable deſigns
'Gainſt Chriſtians; fourſcore eminent Divines
He ſhip'd, and fir'd; ſo they reſign'd their breath,
By patient ſuffering of a double death.
Many he cauſed to be cruſh'd to ſhivers;
Some to be drown'd i'ch' Sea, others in rivers;
Some in the deſarts wandred up and down,
Cloathed in ſheeps-skins, pityed by none:
While other-ſome, (ſo put unto their ſhifts,)
Lurked in dens and hollow rocky clifts.
At laſt this Tyrant from the Goths did fly,
Who fir'd a village o're his head, whereby
He miſerably dy'd: unto his name
Leaving behind a monument of ſhame.
SECT. XVIII.
The Perſecution by the Donatists, Anno Chriſti 410.
THe Donatiſts, and Circumcellions,
In Sun-burnt Affrick, rais'd rebellions:
The Orthodox, innumerable wrongs
Lay under; Biſhops loſt their hands and tongues:
And others, that remain'd ſincere and ſound,
This barbrous outrage either hang'd or drown'd;
Their goods are plunder'd, and their houſes turn'd
To heaps of eindars, and their Fanes are burn'd.
The ſacred Scriptures are by flames devour'd;
Wives are defil'd, and Virgins are deflour'd.
Where ever theſe profane Schiſma ticks came,
They holy things profan'd; nor was't a ſhame
Counted amongſt them, but a grace, to feed
Their mungrell currs with Sacramental bread.
But God's juſt judgements did not long forbear:
The Dogs run mad, and their own Maſters tear.
Theſe furious perſons, caſt into the ſtocks
The godly Chriſtians, and the Orthodox:
All Affrick o're, they empty out their gall,
Deſtroying many, and affrighting all.
SECT. XIX
The Perſecution of the Church in Affrick, by the Arrian Vandales, Anno Chriſti 427.
THe Vandales, under Genſerick's command
Remov'd their Quarters from th' Iberian land,
And march'd to Affrick: as along they went,
Cut down the ſhrubs, which yeilded aliment
To the diſperſed Saints; what e're they found
Unruin'd, they laid level with the ground.
The Min'ſters ſinking underneath their loads,
Are pricked forward with ſharp-pointed goads.
Some had (until they crack'd again) their legs
Wreſted with bow-ſtrings: greaſe and oily dregs,
Salt-water, ſtinking mire, and Vinegar,
Into the mouths of others forced are.
The Reverend gray hairs, from them obtain'd
No mercy: as for infants, they were brain'd,
Or torn in pieces from the fundament.
The Carthaginian Senators were ſent
To wander in exile; without reſpect
To ſex, or age, the Roman City's ſack'd.
Upon A ſceation-day, a Chriſtian train
Meeting at Church, were by theſe her'ticks ſlain.
There was a Noble man, nam'd Saturus,
The Tyrant ſeeing him, beſpake him thus:
Y' had beſt to execute my juſt commands,
Or you ſhall forfeit elſe, your houſe and lands;
Your wife ſhall marry one that drives the plow;
Your children ſhall be ſold: nor did this bow
The good mans faith; his wife hearing her doom
Was to be marry'd to a ſcurvy groom,
Runs to her husband doth her fine clothes tear,
And rends from off her head her curious hair;
Her brood of children hanging at her heels,
A ſuckling in her arms, then down ſhe kneels,
And ſaid (my deateſt) Oh ſome pity take
On thy poor wife: O for the Lord Chrift's ſake
Let not thy bantlings under ſlav'ry tire,
Nor me be linked to a filthy Squire.
Be rul'd, ſweet heart, if by conſtraint th'art brought
To act amiſs, thine will not be the fault.
He thus; Thou ſpeakeſt like a fooliſh wife,
Acting the Devils part; thy husbands life
If thou didſt dearly tender, as thou ſhouldſt,
Entice him ſo to fin, thou never wouldſt;
Which will procure a ſecond death to me,
Worſe then the firſt; I am reſolv'd to be
Obedient therefore to my Gods commands,
And quite forſake wife, children, houſe, and lands,
To b'his Diſciple. Scarce theſe words were out,
He was deſpoil'd of all, and ſent about
The Country begging. Genſerick being dead:
Hunrick ſucceeded in his fathers ſtead.
Well night five thouſand that did Chriſt profeſs,
He baniſhed into the wilderneſs:
He made his Courtiers dig the earth for corn,
And brought the women into publick ſcorn.
Mothers their little children followed,
Right glad that Martyrs they had born and bred.
One leading by the hand her little Son,
Haſting t'oretake them, ſaid, Run Sirrah, run;
Seeſt how the Saints do trudge along? how faſt
They make unto their crown? haſt, ſirrah, haft.
She's thus rebuk'd: How now? why do you go
So ſpeedy? woman, whither haſte you ſo?
She thus reply'd; Good folks pray pray for me,
I go to exile with this child you ſee,
For fear the enemies corrupt his youth,
And ſo miſlead him from the wayes of truth.
As the Saints went along to baniſhment,
Multitudes follow'd, and with one conſent
Flinging their children down, did this expreſs;
And muſt we then be wedded to diſtreſs?
While you haſte to your crown, what will become
Of us (poor wretches as we are) at home?
VVhat Miniſters have we (you gon) to feed
Our hungry ſouls with ſacramental bread?
VVho ſhall baptize our infants? tell us who
Inſtruct us? w'have a greater minde to go
Then ſtay behinde: but Ah! our feeble ſtrength
VVill not hold out ſo great a journeys length.
Now they that went, and could not mend their paces,
Were dragged by the Moors, through rugged places;
Their fleſh all rent and torn; they that were ſtronger
Came to the wilderneſs, to kill their hunger,
And barely are allow'd; the Scorpions crawll
About them, but do them not hurt at all
VVith their lethif'rous ſting: thus God did pleaſe
After affliction to ſend them eaſe.
Hunrick ſends Mandates throughout Affrica,
That all the Biſhops ſhould by ſuch a day
At Carthage meet, on purpoſe by diſpute
To prop their faith; and if they could confute
The Arrian Biſhops: now the time drew near,
And they according to command appear.
Diſpute began; The Orthodox thought beſt
To cull out ſome, to anſwer for the reſt.
The Arrians plac'd themſelves on ſublime thrones;
Theſe ſtood o'th' ground, and ſaid, Inequall ones
Are too unfit to hold an argument,
No, no, it is by general conſent,
That Diſputants the controverſie rear
On equal termes, until the truth be clear.
An hundred ſtrokes, on ev'ry one were laid
For this bold ſpeech; whereat Eugeuius ſaid,
The Lord in mercy look upon our woes,
And mark our ſufferings under raging foes.
The Arrian Biſhops moved to propound
What they intended, at the firſt, gave ground,
Declining the diſpute: the Orth'dox then
A Declaration of their faith, did pen,
And did it with this proteſtation ſhow:
What our belief is, if you long to know,
Here 'tis: the Arrians ſtormed at this thing,
Gave them foul words, accus'd them to the King;
He all of them out of the City turn'd;
Who them reliev'd, muſt by his Law be burn'd.
The Biſhops which i'th' open fields did ly,
Beſpake the Tyrant as he paſſed by:
What evil have we done? we fain would know
The reaſon why we are afflicted ſo;
If we be called to diſpute, we crave
Why are we thus deſpoil'd of all we have?
Why muſt we live on dunghils, in diſtreſs,
Afflicted, houſleſs, cold, and comfortleſs?
He bids, and over them his horſmen ride;
Many are bruiſed ſore, then they deny'd,
B'ing urg'd, unto an oath to put their hands;
And ſaid, Our God contrarily commands:
Nor are we mad-men, or ſuch fools, as that
We ſhould ſubſcribe, before we know to what.
This was the tenour of the oath then read:
You all ſhall ſwear, that when the King is dead
Hildrick ſhall reign, and that no man ſhall ſend
Letters beyond the ſeas. The King your friend,
Upon your taking it, will you reſtore
Unto the Churches you were at before.
They that did not, and alſo they that did
Were all enſlaved, and to preach forbid.
What doleful outeries! what heart-rending grones
Were throughout Affrick caus'd by bloody ones!
With cudgels, either ſex and age was bang'd:
Here, ſome they burned; there they others hang'd.
Women, and naked gentlewomen were
Openly tortur'd, all their bodies bare.
Fair Dionyſia bolder the reſt,
Thus the conceptions of her mind expreſt:
Afflict your fill, God's favour I have got;
OnelyOnly my woman-hood diſcloſe you not.
Theſe words ſcarce out, they more enraged ſtrip'd her,
Expos'd her to all eyes, and ſoundly whip'd her,
Untill the blood flow'd down: that which you broach,
Satanick ſlaves (ſaid ſhe) for my reproach,
Is my beſt garland. Then ſhe wiſely chear'd
Her young and onelyonly ſon, who perſever'd
Patient in all his pains, till he disburſt
His ſpirit unto him that gave it firſt.
Hunrick b'ing dead, ſucceeding Gundabund
Twice ſix years tyranniz'd: mild Thraſamund
And Ild'rick ruled well. But in concluſion,
Bell'zarius brought the Vandals to confuſion,
After they ninety years had been a rod
To ſcourge the Saints and Iſrael of God.