A General Martyrology, Chapter 16
CHAP. XVI. The tenth Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi, 308.
DIoclesian and Maximian having many wars, associated to themselves two Caesars, Galerius, who was sent into the East against the Persians; and Constantius, who was sent into Britain, where he married Helena, the daughter of King Coel; a Maiden excelling in beauty, and no less famous for her Studies and Learning, by whom he had Constantine the Great.
These two Emperors having obtained many victories, were so puffed up with pride, that they ordained a solemn Triumph at Rome. After which, Dioclesian would needs be worshipped as God, saying, that he was brother to the Sun and Moon, and adoring his shoes with gold and precious stones,P…ide. he commanded the people to kiss his feet. Then also did he raise a great and grievous Persecution against the Church of God: and the Feast of Easter drawing nigh, he commanded all the Churches of the Christians to be spoiled, and cast down, and the books of the holy Scriptures to be burnt,Bibles burnt. which was executed with all rigour and contempt that might be.
Then he sent forth his Edicts for the displacing of all Christian Magistrates,Cruel Edicts. and put all others out of their Offices, imprisoning such of the common people as would not abjure Christianity, and subscribe to the heathen Idolatries.
Then were cruel Edicts sent abroad for the imprisoning of the Elders and Bishops, and constraining them by sundry kinds of torments to sacrifice to the Idols; whereupon insued a great persecution against the Governors of the Church, amongst whom many of them manfully passed through exceeding bitter torments:Horrible torments. Some were scourged all over their bodies with whips: some with racks and tearings of their flesh, were exceedingly cruciated: some one way, others another way were put to death.
Some were violently drawn to the impure sacrifices, and as though they had sacrificed, when indeed they did not, were let go. Others neither coming to their Altars; nor touching any piece of their sacrifice, yet were born in hand by those which stood by, that they had sacrificed; and so being defamed by their adversaries, were let go.False Accusations of Christians. Others as dead men were carried out, and cast away, being but half dead.
Some were cast down on the pavement, and trailed a great space by the legs, and the people made to believe that they had sacrificed; Others with-stood them, stoutly affirming with a loud voice, that they had not sacrificed; withal saying, that they were Christians, and glorying in the profession of that name.
Some cryed that they neither had, nor ever would be partakers of that Idolatry,Courage. who were buffetted on the face and mouth by the souldiers, that they might hold their peace. But if the Saints seemed never so little to do what their enemies would have them, they were made much of;Humane infirmity. yet none of these devices prevailed against the constant servants of Jesus Christ; but of the weaker sort, through frailty, many fell at the first brunt.
When these Edicts were first set up at Nicomedia, a Christian, a noble man born, moved with an holy zeal, ran, and took them down,Zeal. and tare them in pieces, though the Emperors were present in the City; for which he was put to a most bitter death, which with great constancy and patience, he endured to the last.
These furious Tyrants, Dioclesian in the West, and Maximian in the East, raged exceedingly against the poor Saints of Christ. But Dioclesian proceeded more subtilly,Subtilty. first beginning with the souldiers in his Camp: to whom the Marshal of the field proposed that they should either offer sacrifice, or leave their places and offices, and lay down their arms; whereunto the Christians resolutely answered, that they were not only ready to lay down their weapons, but to suffer death, if it was imposed upon them,Constancy. rather then so to sin against God.
In the beginning of this persecution, few were tormented, but afterwards the Emperor grew to greater cruelty. It cannot be expressed what number of Martyrs suffered; what blood was shed through all Cities and Regions for the name of Christ.
In Tyre certain Christians were given to the most cruel wild beasts, which would not hurt them; and the Lions, Bears and Leopards,A miracle of Mercy. which were kept hungry for the purpose, would not touch them: Yet did they vehemently rage against those that brought the Christians into the stage, who though they stood, as they thought, without their reach, yet were they caught, and devoured by them. Afterwards these Martyrs were slain with the sword, and cast into the sea.
Silvanus, Bishop of Gazenses, with thirty nine more, were slain in the Mettal-Mynes. Pamphilus of Caesarea, dyed a glorious Martyr.Silvanus. Pamphilus.
In Syria, all the chief Pastors were first cast into prison, together with the Bishops, Elders and Deacons:Tiranion. Tiranion was throwen into the sea.Zenobius. Zenobius a Physitian was slain with Brickbats.
At Antioch two young Maidens were thrown into the sea. Also an aged Matron, and her two beautifull daughters, being sought after, and at last found, rather then they would be drawn to do sacrifice, threw themselves head-long into a river.Sylvanus. Sylvanus Bishop of Emissa, with some others were thrown to the wild beasts.
The Christians in Mesopotamia were tormented divers ways: some of them were hanged up by the feet, and with the smoak of a small fire strangled. So out-ragious was the Emperor in the beginning of this Persecution, that in Nicomedia he slew the chiefest Princes of his Court, whom a little before he prized as his own Children.
Also one Peter was hoisted up naked, and so beaten, and torn with whips,Peter. that his bones might be seen; then they poured upon him salt and Vinegar, and lastly rosted him with a soft fire. Dorotheus and Gorgonius, Dorotheus. Gorgonius.men of great Authority under the Emperor, after divers torments were strangled with an halter. Anthimus, Bishop of Nicomedia, with divers others,Anthimus. having made a good confession, were beheaded. Yea,Serena, Dioclesian's wife. Serena, the wife of Dioclesian the Emperor, was martyred for her Religion. Some others were bound hand and foot to a post, and so burnt.
Also many Christians of all ages and sorts, being met together in a Church, to celebrate the memorial of Christs Nativity, Maximian the Emperor sent some to fire the Church, and burn them all; But first they commanded a Cryer to proclaim, that whosoever would have life, should come out, and sacrifice to Jupiter, otherwise they should be all burnt; then one stepping up boldly, in the name of all the rest, said, We are all Christians, and believe that Christ is our only God and King, and we will sacrifice to none but him; hereupon the fire was kindled, and some thousands of men, women and children were burnt in that place.Christians burnt in a Church.
In Arabia many Martyrs were slain with Axes. In Phrygia, the Emperor sent his Edicts to a City, commanding them to sacrifice to the Idols: but the Major, and all the Citizens professed themselves to be Christians, whereupon the Emperor made his Army environ the City, and set it on fire,A Christian City burnt. whereby all the inhabitants were burnt together in it.
Eustratius an Armenian, and skilfull in the Greek tongue, highly honoured and advanced by the Emperor,Eustratius, a Persecutor converted and martyred. who also had executed many Christians; beholding the marvellous constancy of the Martyrs, privately learned the Christian Religion, burned exceedingly with a desire of Martyrdom, and not staying for Accusers, professed himself to be a Christian, openly execrating the vanity and madness of the heathens; Being therefore apprehended, he was tied up, and bitterly beaten; afterwards he was parched with fire put to his bowels, then basted with salt and vinegar, then scraped and bemangled with sharp cutting shels, that his whole body seemed to be but one wound, yet afterwards, through Gods goodness, it was restored again whole. And lastly was he burned.
In Alexandria, Peter the Bishop,Peter. and his Deacons constantly suffered Martyrdom: as also many other Bishops in Egypt, together with many famous and excellent men, suffered about the same time.
A whole legion of Christian souldiers, that lay at Thebes in Egypt, under their Christian Col▪ Mauritius, A legion of Christians martyred.because they refused to sacrifice to Idols, were first tithed over by the Emperours command, once, and again and afterwards, by the exhortation of Mauritius, they died all together constant Martyrs.
The persecution raged not only in Asia and Africa, but also in Italy, France, Spain, &c. in all which countries an innumerable company of Christians were martyred by sundry kindes of death. In Trevers were so many Christians slain, that their bloud ran like small brooks, and discoloured great rivers; yet this sufficed not the Tyrant, but he sent abroad his horsemen to command all those which had apprehended any Christians, immediately to put them to death.Inhumane c…uelty.
At Collen also, and in Rhetia many were martyred: yea, this persecution extended into our Britan, where all the Christians were put to death.
Besides the kindes of death, the punishments were so great and horrible as no tongue is able to express: as whippings, scourgings,Cruel torments. rackings, horrible scrapings, sword, fire, shipboats, whereinto many were put and sunk into the sea: Also hanging upon crosses, binding some to the bodies of trees with their heads hanging downward, hanging others by the middle upon gallowses till they died of hunger: throwing others alive to Lions, Bears, Leopards, wilde Buls, &c. Pricking others with bodkins and talons of beasts till they were almost dead.
In Thebaide, they hanged up women naked by one of their feet, the rest of their body hanging downwards, with many other sorts of punishments most cruell to be thought of: Some were bound to the boughs of trees, and had their members torn asunder, others were mangled with axes, some choaked with smoak over a slow fire, some had their hands, ears, and feet cut off, others were scorched and broiled upon coals, yet not to death, but had the torment renued every day.
In Pontus the Martyrs had other horible torments inflicted on them, Some had their fingers-ends under the nails thrust in with bodkins: Some were sprinkled all over with boiling lead, having their necessary members cut from them, others suffred most filthy and intolerable torments in their bowels, and privy members: what the outrage of this persecution was in Alexandria, Phileas a Bishop thus writeth,
Because (saith he) every man might torment the holy Martyrs as he listed, some beat them with cudgels, some with rods, some with whips,Hellish cruelty. some with thonges, some with cords, some having there hands bound behind them were lifted upon timber-logs, and with certaine instruments had their members and joints stretched out, where their bodies hanging, were subjected to the will of the tormentors, who were commanded to afflict them with all manner of torments: on their sides, bellies, thighs, legges, they scratched them with the claws of wilde beasts: some were hanged but by on hand one the engine, that they might feel the more grievous pulling out of the rest of their members: Some were bound to pillars, having no stay under their feet, that w…th the weight of their bodies being drawn out, they might feel the greater torment: and these torments endured all day long; the Judge commanding that they should not be let down, till either by the extremity of torment, or by the cold, they were near death; and then they were let down, and haled upon the ground.
They devised also another greater torment, for when the Christians were lamentably beaten, they had a new kinde of rack, wherein they lying upright, were stretched by both the feet above the fourth hole, with sharp shels strawed under them. Others were cast down upon the pavement, where they had so many torments inflicted upon them, that their sufferings cannot be imagined what they were: In the midst of which torments some died,Admirable patience. their enemies being confounded with their singular patience.
Some half dead were thrust into prisons, where, with their wounds and pain they ended their lives: Others being cured of their wounds, were again put to their choice; whether they would sacrifice to the Idols, and have their liberty, or have the sentence of death pass upon them, who did willingly chuse death for Christs sake, rather then to sin against him.
In Nicomedia, a Christian pulling down, and tearing the Emperors Edict, was stript and beaten till the bones appeared, and then washed in salt and vinegar, under which torments he died. Yet notwithstanding the horribleness of these tortures, the Christian Martyrs were so farre from being dismaied,Courage and constancy. that they were confirmed and strengthned thereby, merrily and joyfully undergoing whatsoever was inflicted upon them.
Eusebius saith, that himself saw the cruel Persecution in Thebade, where the swords of the Persecutors were blunted with the great slaughter of the Christians,Tormentors wearied. and they sat down with weariness to rest them, whilest others took their places. Yet still the Christians shewed their willingness, and with courage, joy and smiling, received their sent…nce of death from the Judge, and to the last gasp, sang Psalms and Hymns of praise to God.
In Alexandria the holy Martyrs led with the love of better rewards, did not only bear the menaces of the cruel souldiers, wherewith they threatned them, but also whatsoever torments they could devise for their destruction: Yea saith Sulpitius; then the Christians with more greedy desire pressed and sought for Maryrdom,Humane infirmity. then now they do for Bishopricks. Yet some through infirmity in this Persecution fell back, for which they were excommunicated by the Church.
Damasus and others witness, that there were slain in thirty daies, seventeen thousand persons, besides a great number that were condemned to the Metall-mines and quarries, with the like cruelty.
In Alexandria were slain with axes three hundred:The story of Mauritius and his legion. At Collen three hundred. Mauritius with his Christian legion, six thousand six hundred sixty six, whose story, deserving perpetually to be remembred, is this:
Maximian sent for his Mauritius with his legion of Thebane souldiers, under a pretence of imploying them against his enemies: When they came to Rome, Marcellus, the Blessed bishop, laboured to confirm them in the truth, to whom they promised perseverance in the faith unto the death. Then they followed they Imperial army into France, and when they were cowe thither, Maximian offered sacrifice to the devils, and called all his souldiers to the same, strictly charging them to fight against his enemies, and against the Christians which were enemies to his gods. These Christian Thebans resolved rather to die▪ then to sacrifice, or to bear arms against the Christians, wherewith the Tyrant being enraged, commanded every tenth man of the legion to be put to the sword, hereupon they strove who should submit their necks to the stroke. Mauritius encouraged them greatly hereunto, and being called before the Emperour, he said; Wee, O Emperour, your souldiers, and yet the servants of God, owe thee service of war, A most Christian speech.but to him innocency; of thee we receive wages, but of him life; therefore we cannot obey thee to deny God our Lord and yours also, will ye nil ye: We are ready to obey you, if you enforce us not to disobey him: Otherwise we will rather obey him then you: We offer here our hands against any other enemies, but to defile our hands with the bloud of innocents, we may not: These hands of ours have …kil to fight against wicked enemies, but not to murther godly friends, &c. We have engaged our faith to God, we cannot be true to you, if we break covenant with him, &c. We see our brethren and fellows in arms, cruelly put to the sword, which we rejoyce in, that they have been counted worthy to suffer for Christs sake, &c. Behold here we cast down our weapons, and had rather to be killed, then to kill, and to die guiltlesse then to live guilty: We are ready to suffer what more you shall appoint, yea b…th fire, sword, or any other torments. We confesse our selves, to be Christians, wee cannot persecute Christians, nor sacrifice to your devillish Idols. The Emperour being highly incensed with this answer commanded the second time the tenth man to be slain, which being accomplished, when the Christian souldiers would not yet condescend to his minde, he set upon them with his whole host, both of foot and horse, charging them to kill them all; the Christians made no resistance, but throwing down their arms, offered their naked necks to the persecutors, and so were all slain.
At that time, one Victor, an old souldier, that for his age was dismissed, coming to the Army, as they were banquetting and making merry with the spoils of the Martyrs, was bidden to sit down with them, but he asked them what was the cause of there mirth, and understanding the trut…, he detested them, and refused to eat with them;Christian courage. and being thereupon demanded whether he were a Christian? he answered that he was and ever would be. Then they rushed upon him; and made him partaker, of the lik Martyrdom and honour.
When Dioclesian and Maximian, notwithstanding all the slaughter which they made, saw the number of Christians rather increased then diminished, so that they were out of all hope of utter rooting them out, and having now even their fill of blood, they ceased at last of their own accord from putting any more Christians to death:The mercies of the wicked are cruelty. Yet of a great multitude, they thrust out their right eies, and maimed their right legs at the ham, with a searing iron, condemning them to the Metal-mynes, not so much for their labour, as desirous to afflict them thereby: and so having raigned together about one and twenty years, Dioclesian divested himself of the imperial Dignity, and lived a private life, and the like did Maximian also, resigning the Empire to Galerius Maximinus, and Constantius.
Maximinus was of a cruel Nature, a great Enchanter, vicious in his life, and a great enemy to the Christians, and therefore continued the Persecution of them, yet at length was revoked from his cruelty by the just Judgement of God upon him; For he was suddenly taken with an horrible and filthy disease,Gods judgements on persecutors. which first began outwardly in his flesh: and then proceeded more inwardly: his privy members putrified with a botchy corrupt boil, and a fistula consuming, and eating up his Entrails, whence swarmed forth an innumerable company of lice, with such a pestiferous stink, that no man could abide him; he being also very gross, his fat putrified, and stank intollerably; and because his Physitians could not abide the stink, he commanded them to be slain: others of them, because they could not cure his incurable disease, he put them to cruel deaths.
At last being told that his disease came from God, he began to bethink himself of all the cruelty which he had shewed to the Saints, confessed his offences to God, and gave command that the Persecution against the Christians should cease; requiring his Officers likewise to re-edifie their Temples,Hypocrisie. and requesting them to pray to their God for him.
This Edict much comforted and refreshed the Christians, who thereupon gathered together in every City, called their Synods and Councels; yea, the Infidels themselves extolled and magnified the true God of the Christians.
But this Tyrant Maximinus scarce suffered this peace to continue six moneths together, but again he forbad the Christians to meet, and privately stirred up the Athenians to petition him that none of them might be suffered to live in their City: Also a Conjurer in Athens made an Image of Jupiter, which uttered these words, Jupiter commandeth the Christians to be banished out of this City and Suburbs, because they are enemies to him. Also certain harlots were suborned to say, that they formerly were Christians, and privy to the wicked and lascivious acts which they exercised amongst themselves, upon Sabbath daies, &c. And thereupon the Emperor commanded that they should put them to death by all means possible. Then did the Persecution grow as great as ever it was, and the Governors of every Province fell upon the Christians▪ banishing some, and putting others to death.
Silvanus Bishop of Emissa, a very old man, and three others with him, were condemned to death. So was Lucianus, Silvanus. Lucianus. Peter. Quirinus.an Elder at Antioch. At Alexandria, Peter the Bishop was beheaded. Quirinus Bishop of Scescanus had an hand-mill tied about his neck, and was thrown head-long into a river: where yet he floted a great while, exhorting the lookers on not to be dismaid with his punishment, and so with much ado, was at last drowned.
At Rome, many Bishops, Ministers and Elders were put to death. In sundry other places very many others suffered martyrdom with fire, wild beasts, drowning in the sea, &c. Some were crucified, some were slain with the sword;Cruel torments some endured the cutting and burning of their members; some had their eyes thrust out; some were starved in prisons, and whatsoever other cruelty the Magistrates could devise; All which the people of God endured, rather then they would offer sacrifice to the Idols. The like miseries did the women also endure, for being inticed to the filthy use of their bodies, some rather chose banishment, and others to prevent it, killed themselves.
Neither could Christians live safely in the wilderness, but even from thence they were drawn to torments and death.
And whereas the Tyrant in his Edict had boasted of the plenty and prosperity of all things in the time of his persecuting of the Saints, God to confute him, presently sent great drought,Gods judgements on persecutors. famine and pestilence, besides the wars with the Armenians; by which calamities, the people were miserably wasted; corn was sold at an unreasonable rate, so that exceeding great multitudes died of hunger in the Cities, but far more in the villages; most part of the husband-men dying of famine and the pestilence. Divers brought out their best treasure,A terrible famine. and gave it for any kind of sustenance, though never so little. Others having sold their possessions for food, fell into extream misery: Some did eat grass, others fed upon unwholsom herbs, whereby they hurt and poisoned their bodies: Many women were driven to leave the Cities, and beg up and down through the countrey: some through faintness fell down in the streets, and holding up their hands, cryed miserably for some scraps or fragments of bread, being ready to give up the Ghost; and being able to say no more, they cryed, Hungry, hungry.
Some of the richer sort being tired with serving such multitudes of beggers, began to grow hard-hearted, fearing lest themselves should fall into the like misery: By reason whereof the Market-places, streets, and lanes, lay full of dead corpses, and naked bodies were cast out unburied, many of which were devoured by dogs, whereupon they which lived, fell to killing of the dogs, lest running mad, they should fall upon them, and kill them.
The pestilence also scattering through all houses, killed very many, especially those of the richer sort, which escaped the famine, whereby innumerable Magistrates,Pestilence. Princes and Presidents were quickly dispatched, so that all places were filled with mourning, and nothing was seen or heard but weeping and wailing every where. Death so reigned in every family, that two or three dead bodies were carried out of one house together. But notwithstanding that these miscreants had been so cruel to them,Charity of Christians▪ yet the Christians were very diligent and charitable to them in all their extremities, travelling every day, some in curing the sick; some in burying of their dead; others called the multitude together, which were ready to famish, and distributed bread unto them, whereby they occasioned them to glorifie the God of the Christians, and con…essed them to be the true worshippers of God, as appeared by their works: and hereby the Lord wrought wonderfully for the peace of his Church, for after he had corrected them, he again shewed th…m mercy.
Constantine succeeding his father, overcame Maxentius the Tyrant in Rome, and he together with Licinius set forth Edicts in favour of the Christians: See Constantines life in my second part of lives. Yet Maximinus continued his persecution in the East, whereupon Constantine and Licinius wrote to him to favour the Christians, and he finding that he was too weak to encounter with them, sent forth his Edicts to stop the persecution: yet afterwards he picked new quarrels with them, and began to persecute them again: whereupon Licinius went against him, and overthrew him in a battell: Then did Maximinus kill many of his enchanters and conjurers that had encouraged him, and promised him victory.
Shortly after the Lord striking him with a grievous disease, he glorified the God of the Christians,Gods judgements on persecutors. and made a Law for the safety and preservation of them: yet not long after by the vehemency of his disease, he ended his life.
Hypocrisie.Licinius, that for a long time had pretended to the Christian religion, and lived in great familiarity with Constantine, who had given him his sister Constantia to be his wife, began afterwards to discover his hypocrisie, and the wickednesse of his nature, secretly conspiring the death of Constantine: but the Lord discovering and preventing his conspiracies, he then fell out with him, and manifested his hatred of the Christian religion, being puffed up with the victory that he had got against Maximinus.
He quarrelled with the Christians, because as he said, they praied not for him, but for Constantine: and thereupon he first banished them all from his Court: then he deprived all the Knights of their honourable order,Wicked Laws. except they would sacrifice to devils: then he commanded that the Bishops should have no meetings to consult about their Ecclesiastical affairs: nor that any Christians should come to the Churches, or hold any assemblies: then that men and women should not meet together to pray, that women should not hear the Bishops, but chuse out women to instruct them: then that none should help or succour those that were in prison, nor should bestow any alms upon them, though they should die for hunger, and that they which shewed any compassion to those which were condemned to death, should suffer the like punishment themselves; then he persecuted the Bishops, and slew those which were the most eminent of them: the flattering officers also which were about him, thinking to please him thereby, slew many Bishops without any cause: yea many of their bodies they cut into gobbets, and threw them in to the sea to feed fishes: Some were banished,Cru…lty. others had their goods confiscated; many noblemen and gentlemen were privily made away: and Licinius gave their unmarried daughters to wicked varlets to be defloured, himself also violated many women, both wives and maidens.
This cruelty made many godly persons voluntarily to forsake their houses, and to live in woods, mountains, and desarts: He caused Theodorus to be hanged upon a crosse, to have nails thrust into his arm-pits,Theodorius. and afterwards to be beheaded: Divers other Bishops had their hands cut off with a fearing iron. In Sebastia fourty Christian souldiers in the vehement cold winter were cast into an Horse-pond, where they ended their lives: the wives of these fourty men were carried to Heraclea, where, together with a Deacon of that place, after they had suffered innumerable torments, they were slain with the sword.
Constantine being informed of all this wickednesse, raised an Army, went against him, overcame him twice, and at last caused him to be put to death, as you may see in Constantines life in my second part: whereby the Church obtained a generall peace.
Yet in this tenth Persecution many other eminent Christians suffered Martryrdom, besides those before-named.
Galerius in his time invaded Antioch, intending to force all Christians to renounce Christ, at what time they were assembled together, whereupon one Romanus ran to them, declaring that the wolves were at hand, which would devour them, yet he exhorted them not to fear by reason of the perill; and, through Gods grace, the Christians were greatly encouraged by him, so that old men and matrons, fathers, mothers, young men and maidens were all of one minde, being willing to shed their bloud in defence of their profession: A band of armed men were sent against them, which were not able to wrest the staff of faith out of their hands: hereupon they sent word to their Captain, that they could not inforce the Christians to deny their faith, by reason of Romanus who did so mightily encourage them: then did the Captain command that he should be brought before him, which was done accordingly; What (saith the Captain) art thou the author of this sedition? art thou the cause that so many lose there lives? By the Gods I swear thou shalt answer for them all, and shalt suffer those torments that thou encouragest them to undergo; Romanus answered, Thy sentence, O Emperour, I willingly embrace, I refuse not to be sacrificed for my brethren, Romanus's noble courage.and that by as cruel torments as thou canst invent. &c. The Captain being much enraged with this his stout Answer, commanded him to be trussed up, and his bowels drawn out, whereupon the Executioners said, Not so Sir, this man is of noble parentage, and therefore he may not be put to so ignoble a death: Scourge him then (quoth the Captain) with whips with knobs of lead at the ends: but Romanus sang Psalms all the time of his whipping, requiring them not to favour him for nobilities sake; Not the bloud of progenitors, (saith he) but the Christian profession makes me noble:True nobility. then did he earnestly inveigh against the Captain, and derided their Idoll gods, &c. but this further enraged the Tyrant, so that he commanded his sides to be lanced with knives, till the bones were laid open: yet still did the holy Martyr preach the living God, and the Lord Jesus Christ to him: then did the Tyrant command them to strike out his teeth, that his speech might be hindered; also his face was buffeted, his eye-lids torn with their nails, his cheeks gashed with knives, the skin of his beard pulled off by litle and little,Note. &c. yet the meek Martyr said, I thank thee O Captain, that thou hast opened to me so many mouths as wounds, whereby I may preach my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: look how many wounds I have, so many mouths I have, lauding and praising God: The Captain astonished at his constancy, bad them give over tormenting him: yet he threatned to burn him, reviled him,Blasphemy. and blasphemed God, saying, thy crucified Christ is but a yesterdaies God, the gods of the Gentiles are of greatest antiquity: But Romanus taking occasion from hence, declared to him the eternity of Christ, &c. withall saying, Give me a child of seven years old, and thou shalt hear what he will say; hereupon a pretty boy was called out of the multitude, to whom Romanus said, Tell me my pretty babe, whether thou think it reason that we worship Christ, and in Christ one Father, or else that we worship infinite gods? the child answered, that certainly what we affirm to be God must needs be one, which with one, is one and the same; and inasmuch as this one is Christ, of necessity Christ must be the true God: for that there be many gods, we children cannot beleeve: The Captain amazed at this, said, thou young villain and traitor, where, and of whom learnedst thou this lesson? of my mother, said he, with whose milk I sucked in this lesson, that I must believe in Christ: The mother was called, and she gladly appeared: the Tyrant commanded the child to be horsed up,A child tormented. and scourged: the standers by beholding this mercilesse act, could not refrain from tears; the joyfull and glad mother alone stood by with dry cheeks, yea, she rebuked her sweet babe, for desiring a cup of cold water, charging him to thirst after the cup that the babes of Bethlem once drunk of; She willed him to remember little Isaac, who willingly proferred his neck to the …int of his fathers sword, &c. Then did the cruell tormentor pull off the skin, hair and all from the crown of the childes head: the mother crying, Suffer my child, anon thou shalt passe to him that will adorn thy head with a crown of eternall glory: thus the mother councelleth and encourageth, the childe is encouraged, and receiveth the stripes with a smiling countenance. The Captain seeing the childe invincible, and himself vanquished, commands him to be cast into the stinking prison, whilest the torments of Romanus were renewed and encreased: Then was Romanus brought forth again, to receive new stripes upon his old sores, the flesh being torn, and the bare bones appearing: yet the cruell Tyrant raging like a mad man, quarelling with the tormentors for dealing so mildely with him, commanding them to cut, prick, and pounce him: and then he passed sentence upon him, together with the childe to be burned to death: to whom Romanus said, I appeal from this unjust sentence of thine to the righteous throne of Christ, that upright Judge, An appeal to Christ.not because I fear thy cruell torments, and mercilesse handling, but that thy Judgements may be known to be cruell and bloudy.
When they came to the place of execution, the tormentors required the childe of his mother, for she had carried it in her arms from the prison;The childes Martyrdom. She kissing it, delivered it to them, and as the executioner was striking off his head, she said, farewell my sweet childe:
All laud and praise, with heart and voice,
O Lord we yeeld to thee:
To whome the death of all thy Saints,
We know most dear to be.
The childes head being cut off, the mother wrapt it in her garment, laid it to her brest, and so departed. Then was Romanus cast into a mighty fire, which being quenched with a great storm, the Tyrant commanded his tongue to be cut out, and afterwards caused him to be strangled in the prison.
Gordius, a Centurion in Caesarea, in the heat of this persecution, left his charge, living a solitary life in a wilderness for a long time:Gordius. at last when a solemn feast was celebrated to Mars in that city, and multitudes of people were assembled in the Theatre▪ to see the games, he came, and gat up into a conspicuous place, and with a loud voice said, Behold, I am found of those which sought me not, &c. the multitude hereupon looked about to see who it was that spake this, and Gordius being known, he was immediatly brought before the Sheriff, and being asked who, and what he was, and why he came thither? he told him the whole truth, professing that he believed in Christ, valued not their threatnings, and chose this as a fit time to manifest his profession in: then did the Sheriff call for scourges, gibbets, and all manner of torments: to whom Gordius answered, that it would be a losse and damage to him,Courage. if he did not suffer divers torments and punishments for Christ and his cause: the Sheriff more incensed hereby, commanded all those torments to be inflicted on him: with which Gordius could not be overcome, but sang, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me: and I will fear no evill, because thou Lord art with me, &c. then did he blame the tormentors for favouring him; provoking them to do their uttermost:Flattery. then the Sheriff not prevaling that way, sought by flattery to seduce him, promising him preferment, riches, treasures, honour, &c. if he would deny Christ: but Gordius derided his foolish madness, saying, that he looked for greater preferment in heaven, then he could give him here upon earth: then was he condemned, and had out of the city to be burnt: Multitudes followed him,Constancy. and some Kissing him, with tears entreated him to pity himself, to whom he answered, Weep not I pray you for me, but for the enemies of God, which fight against the Christians; weep I say for them which prepare a fire for us, purchasing hell-fire thereby for themselves in the day of vengeance: and cease I pray you thus to molest my quiet and setled mind: for truly for the name of Christ I am ready to suffer a thousand deaths, &c. Others perswaded him to deny Christ with his mouth, and to keep his conscience to himself▪ My tongue (saith he) which by Gods goodnesse I have, cannot be brought to deny the author and giver of the same; for with the heart we beleeve unto righteousnesse, and with the tongue we confesse unto salvation: and thus perswading and encouraging the people to be willing to die in the like cause, with an unappalled countenance, he willingly gave himself to be burnt.
MenasAlso Menas an Egyptian, and a souldier by profession, in this persecution, forsook all, and went into a desart, where he gave himself to fasting, prayer, meditation, and reading of the Scriptures: at last returning into the city of Cotis, when the people were at their pastimes, he with a loud voice proclaimed himself to be a Christian, and thereupon was carried before the President, and being demanded of his faith, he said, Convenient it is that I confesse God in whom is light, and no darknesse; for with the heart we beleeve to righteousnesse, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation: Then was he pinched and excruciated with sundry torments:Note. But (said he) there is nothing in my minde that can be compared to the Kingdom of heaven, neither is all the world, if it were weighed in a balance, comparable to the price of one soul; and further said, Who can separate us from the love of Christ? can tribulation, or anguish? &c. and again, I have learned of my Lord Christ not to feare them that can kill the body, and have no power to kill the soul, &c. Having endured manifold torments, he received the sentence of death, and at the place of execution, he said, I give thee thanks, my Lord God, which hast accepted me to be a partaker of thy precious death, and hast not suffered me to be devoured of my fierce enemies, but hast made me constant in thy true faith unto the end: and so he lost hi… head, but found a crown.
Basil relates a story, that the Emperours officer brought the Edict against the Christians to a place to be published, and then privily suborned some to detect and accuse the Christians: then he caused the sword, gibbet, wheel, and whips to be brought forth, at the sight whereof the hearts of all the beholders did shake and tremble: Some for fear fled, others stood in doubt what to do: Some again for fear denied their faith,Humane infirmity. others suffered cruell torments, but at last vanquished by the intollerable pain, they made shipwrack of their consciences, and lost the glory of their confession.
Fourty young gentlemen.Amongst others, fourty young gentlemen that were souldiers, freely and boldly confessed themselves to be Christians, declaring to the Marshall their names, who amazed at this their boldnesse, stood in doubt what to do: then he assaied with fair words and flatteries to win them, perswading them to consider their youth, and not to change a pleasant life for a painfull and untimely death,Tenta…ion of flattery. promising them honour, money, &c. But they boldly answered, that they neither desired, money, honour, nor life, but only the celestiall Kingdom of Christ, for the love of which they were ready to endure the wheel, crosse, fire, &c. The Marshall being much offended herewith, devised a new torment; for spying a pond in the street that did lie open to the Northen winde, it being in the cold winter time, he caused them to be put into it all night; but they being merry, comforted one another as they put off their clothes, saying, We put not off now our cloths, but our old man, corrupt with the deceit of concupiscence, for which we blesse and praise God: for by meanes of the serpent we once put on the old man, but by the means of Jesus Christ we now put him off: and being brought naked to the place, where they felt the vehement cold, they were put into the pond, so that all their members were stark and stiffe with it: and as soon as it was day, they hauing breath yet remaining in them, were brought to the fire, wherein they were consumed into ashes, which ashes were thrown into the floud.
It happened that one of the company being more lively,A mother encourageth her son to die. and not so near death as the rest, the executioners pitied him, and delivered him to his mother who stood by, to save his life: but she led him to the piles of wood where the other starved creatures lay ready to be burnt, admonishing him to accomplish the blessed journey he had taken in hand, which accordingly he did, and was burnt with his companions.
Syrus a Physician of Alexandria, in this persecution fled into Syria, where he lived a private life,Cyrius. John. Athanasia. unto whom one John a souldier adjoined himlelf: but not long after one Athanasia with her three daughters, being virgins, were cast into prison at Canope in Egypt for the profession of their faith: Cyrus being of their acquaintance, fearing lest through infirmity they should fall, he together with his partner John went thither to the prison to comfort and confirm them, for which he was accused to the President, who thereupon condemned them all, and so they were beheaded.
Sebastian also borne in France, and Captain of the avaunt-guard of the Emperour,Sebastian encouraged many Martyrs by his exhortations unto constancy, and kept them in the faith, for which being accused to the Emperour, he caused him to be brought forth into the open field, where by his own souldiers he was thrust through with arrows.
Basil also maketh mention of one Barlaam, Barlaam:who having endured all sorts of tortures to the point of death, was then by the tormentors laid upon the altar, and they put fire and frankincense in his right hand, hoping that the burning of the fire would have forced him to scatter the incense upon the altar, and so to have sacrificed: but his hand, enduring the fire, remained steady, the Martyr in the mean time singing, Blessed be the Lord my God which teacheth my hands to fight, &c.
Ambrose mentioneth one Agricola and Vitalis his servant, who agreed betwixt themselves, to give their lives, with other Martyrs,Vitalis▪ for the name of Christ; Vitalis first offering himself to Martyrdom, the persecutors laboured by all means to draw him to deny Christ, but not prevailing,Constancy. they exercised upon him all sorts of torments, so that he had no whole skin left on all his body: Vitalis in the midst of his sufferings, having by prayer commended himself to God, gave up the ghost. Then was Agricola set upon by the tormentors, whose vertuous life and gentle conditions,Agricola. had won him such respect, that they delayed tormenting of him, but he provoking them to make quicker speed, they fastened him to the crosse, where he finished his Martyrdom.
Augustine writes of one Vincentius a Spaniard, who by Dacianus the President was first laid upon the rack,Vincentius. till all the joints of his body crackt, then were all his members slasht and indented with deadly wounds; then they miserably scratched all his body with iron combs, filed very sharp;Horrible cruelty. then they laid his body, being all out of joint, upon an iron grate, opened it with iron hooks, seared it with fiery plates, and then besprinkled it with hot burning salt: lastly they drew him, and cast him into a vile dungeon, the floore whereof was thick-spread with the sharpest shels, his feet were fast locked in the stocks, and so left him without all wordly comfort;Joy unspeakable. but the Lord his God was with him, the holy Spirit of God, whose office it is to comfort the afflicted, filled his heart with joy unspeakable; so that he there ended his life with much comfort.
Procopius.Also Procopius in Palestine, after his conversion, brake his Images of gold and silver, and distributed them amongst the poor; whereupon he had all sorts of torments inflicted on him, racking, cording, tearing of his flesh, firing, goring, stabbing, and lastly had his head cut off.
Georg. Zeal.George, a young man of Cappadocia, stoutly inveighing against the impious Idolatry of the Emperor, was apprehended, torn with hooked irons, burnt with hot lime, stretched out with cords, after had his hands and feet cut off, and lastly was beheaded.
Hermogenes.Hermogenes the President of Athens, being converted by beholding the patience and constancy of two Martyrs in their torments, suffered himself for the same faith.
In Portugall a noble virgin named Eulalia, not much above twelve years old,Eulalia. had profers of great marriages made unto her, but she seeing the f…rious rage of this Persecution, had a great minde to join her self to the number of the Martyrs, for which end she poured out her heart in prayer to God for strength and faith to enable her thereunto: But her godly parents fearing that her ready minde to die for Christs cause, might make her guilty of her own death, they kept her close at their country-house, a great way from the City; there she lived quietly for a while; but at last, detesting to make such dealy, she stole out of her fathers house in the night, and travelled all alone through bywaies, with much difficulty and wearinesse towards the City, whither she came in the morning, and going before the Judge▪ she with a loud voice said,Zeal. I pray you, What a shame is it for you thus wickedly to kill mens souls, and to breake their bodies in pieces, to compell them to deny the omnipotent God? Would you know what I am? I am a Christian, and an enemy to your devilish sacrifices, I spurn your Idols under my feet, I confesse God omnipotent with my heart and mouth, &c. Go to therefore thou hangman, burne, cut and mangle these my earthly members; thou maist easily break a brittle substance, but thou canst not hurt my inward minde by any thing thou canst doe. The Judge enraged herewith, said to the hangman, Take her and pull her out by the hair of her head to torments, let her feel the power of our gods, and know what we can do: But yet, O sturdy girl, I would fain have thee, before thou diest,Tentation. to revoke thy wickednesse: Remember the honourable house of which thou art come, and thy friends tears; Wilt thou kill thy self in the flower of thy youth, so near honourable marriages? Doth not the glistering pomp of the bride-bed move thee &c. Behold here the engines prepared for thy death; either thou shalt be beheaded with the sword, or torn with wilde beasts, or consumed with fire to ashes, &c. yet this thou maiest escape if thou wilt; What greate matter is it for thee, with thy fingers to put a little incense into the censers? yet thereby thou shalt be delivered.
To this Eulalia answered not, being in a great passion,Eulalia. but spit in the Tyrants face, and spurned abroad the heap of inc…nse. Whereupon without further delay, the hangmen with both their strengths pulled out her joints, scratched her with the talons of wilde beasts to the hard bones, she singing and praising God in the mean time; saying,Horrible cruelty. Beh…ld O Lord, I will not forget thee: What a pleasure is it for them, O Christ, that remember thy triumphant victories, to ataine to these high dignities! &c. Yea, when as out of a warm fountain, her fair and white skin was discoloured with the purple bloud that flowed from her torn members, she wept not, but chearfully sang praises unto God; then they gored her mangled body with the iron grate, terribly harrowed her flesh, and burned her brest with flaming torches, then setting fire to her long hair, which covered her naked body, when it came to her face, she opened her mouth, and sucked in the flame, and so peaceably slept in the Lord.
Also Agnes a young virgin being accused for a Christian, was brought before the Judge, who first laboured by flatteries,Agnes. Tentation. then by threatning her with cruell torments, to draw her to the deniall of her faith; but she being strengthened by Christ,Courage. told him that she feared not his torments, which she was willing to undergo, yea and death it self for Christs sake; then said the Judge, if it be so easie with thee to undergo torments, yet I know that thou prizest thy virginity therefore it is fully determined, that except thou sacrificest to the gods, thou shalt be put into the common Stews. Then did many youths flock together, craving that Agnes might be exposed as a prey to there filthy lusts, to whom she said, Christ is not forgetfull of those that are his, neither will he leave me destitute of his help, Faith.nor suffer my unspotted chastity to be defiled by you, &c. you shall willingly bathe your swords in my blood, but you shall not defile my body with filthy lust for any thing that you can do. Then the Judge commanded that she should be …et naked at the corner of a street; whereupon the multitude sorrowed, and were ashamed to see so shamelesse a sight, turning away their face, and so departing,A remarkable judgement. but one amongst the rest looking upon her in a shamelesse manner, behold a flame of fire, like a flash of lightining struck out both his eies, and he falling down wallowed in the kennell dirt, whereupon Agnes sang praises unto God. Then the cruel Tyrant enraged hereby, commanded the executioner to draw out his sword, and dispatch her: She seeing a sturdy souldier coming towards her with a naked sword, rejoyced saying, This, O this is he that I love, I will make hast to meet him; Faith.and no longer protract my longing desires; I well willingly receive the length of his sword into my breast: O eternall father, vouchsafe to open the gates of heaven to my soul that seeketh thee; and so kneeling down, and praying unto Christ, the executioner with his bloudy hand, finished her hope.
Julitta An excellent story.Basil in one of his Orations, relates a story of one Jullitta, from whom one of the Emperours officers tooke all her goods, lands and servants, contrary to all equity; whereupon she complained to the Judges, and a day of hearing was appointed, where the spoiled woman lamentably declared her cause: But the wicked villain that had robbed her, said that her Action was of no force, for she was an outlaw, for not observing the Emperours gods, and that she was a Christian: His allegation was allowed, incense was prepared for her to offer to the gods, which if she refused, she should neither have protection nor benefit of the Emperours Laws, nor continue her life. She hearing this,Strength of Faith. in the mighty strength of God, said, Farewell riches, welcome pouerty, farewell life, welcome death▪ All that I have were it a thousand times more, would I lose, rather then speak one wicked word against God my Creator. I yield thee most hearty thanks, O my God, for this gift of grace, that I can contemn and despise this frail and transitory world, esteeming the profession of Christ above all treasures: And thenceforth when any question was proposed to her, her answer was, I am the servant of Jesus Christ. Tentation. Constancy.Her kindred and friends earnestly sollicited her to change her minde, but she constantly refused, with detestation of their Idolatry. Then did the cruel Judge condemn her to be burnt, which sentence she embraced joyfully, as a thing most sweet and delectable; and so she addressed her self to the flames, in countenance, gesture and words, declaring the joy of her heart, coupled with singular constancy, and so embracing the fire, she sweetly slept in the Lotd.
Barbara.Barbara a noble woman in Thuscia, after miserable imprisonment, sharp cords, and burning flames put to her sides, was as last beheaded, together with many others.
Here place the fourth Figure.