A General Martyrology, Chapter 9
CHAP. IX. The third Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi, 108.
DOmitian being slain by some of his own servants, Nerva succeeded him, who was a good and mercifull man, stayed the persecution against the Christians, called them home from banishment, so that the Church enjoyed peace in his time, but he reigning only thirteen moneths, Trajan a Spaniard succeeded him,Trajans persecution. who in the tenth year of his reign, raised the third persecution against the Church, which was far more cruel then either of the former; inasmuch as Plinius Secundus, an heathen Philosopher,Pliny writes in the Christians behalf. seeing the lamentabte slaughter of the Christians, moved with pity, he wrote to Trajan concerning the same; that whereas there were many thousands of them daily put to death, there were none of them which did any thing contrary to the Roman Laws worthy of persecution, saving that they used to gather together in the morning before day, and sing Hymns to a certain God that they vvorshipped, called Christ; in other things they were godly and honest; and for proof hereof, saith he, I caused two Maidens to be laid on the rack, and with torments to be examined about the same; but finding nothing in them but only lewd and immoderate superstition, I resolved to surcease further enquiry, till I received further instructions from you about this matter. Christianity accounted superstition.&c. Trajan having read this Epistle; returned answer, that it was his mind, that the Christians should not be sought after, but if they were brought and convicted, that then they should suffer execution:Tertullians speech. whereof Tertullian, speaking, saith, O confused sentence! He would not have them sought for as men innocent, and yet would have them punished as men guilty: Now though upon this act, the rage of the persecution was somewhat abated, yet many evil disposed men, and cruel Officers there were, vvhichwhich ceased not to afflict the Christians in divers Provinces: especially if any commotion was raised in any of them, then presently were the Christians blamed for it. Trajan sent a command to Jerusalem, that whosoever could be found out of the stock of David, should be enquired for,The stock of David sought for. and put to death; hereupon some Sectaries of the Jewish nation, accused Simeon the son of Cleophas, to come of Davids line, and that he was a Christian: of which Accusers it happened, that some of them were taken to be of the stock of David, and so most righteously were executed themselves who sought the destruction of others. In this Persecution suffered Phocas Bishop of Pontus, A just reward.whom Trajan, because he would not sacrifice to Neptune, Phocus Martyr.caused to be cast into a hot lime-kilne, and afterwards to be put into a scalding bath, where he ended his life in the cause of Christ: As also Sulpitius Servilianus, and Nereus, and Achilleus suffered Martyrdom in Rome, Sulpitius, Nereus and Achilleus Martyrs.Sagaris in Asia; Then also Ignatius Bishop of Antioch was apprehended and sent to Rome, where he was devoured of wild beasts, and besides these, many thousand others.
Adrian Emp. Alexander, Herenes and Quiri…us martyrs. Zenon.After the death of Trajan, succeeded Hadrian, who continued this third persecution against the Chrstians; at which time, Alexander Bishop of Rome, with his two Deacons, as also Hermes and Quirinus with their families suffered Martyrdom. Also about this time, Zenon a noble man of Rome, with above ten thousand more were slain for Christs sake.Ten thousand crucified. Also in mount Ararath were ten thousand Christians crucified, crowned with thorns, and thrust into the side with sharp darts, after the example of the Lords passion. Eustachius, a noble Captain,Eustachius Martyr. who Trajan had sent out to war against the Barbarians; after (through Gods Mercy) he had valiantly subdued his enemies, was returning home with victory: Hadrian for joy, went to meet him, and to bring him home with triumph: but by the way, he would needs sacrifice to Apollo, for the victory obtained, willing Eustachius to do the same with him; but when by no means he could be perswaded thereto, coming to Rome, he with his wife and Children suffered Martyrdom; by the command of the ingratefull Emperour.Monstrous ingratitude. Faustinus and Jobita Martyrs. Also Faustinus and Jobita, Citizen of Brixia, were martyred with many torments; which caused one Calocerius, beholding their admirable patience in the midst of their cruel torments, to cry out, Vere magnus est Deus Christianorum, Verily great is the God of the Christians; whereupon being apprehended,More. he was made Partaker of their Martyrdom. Also Eleutherius Bishop in Apulia, Eleutherius, Anthea, and Symphorissa Martyrs.was beheaded, together with his mother Anthea. Also Symphorissa, a godly Matron, was often cruelly scourged, afterwards hanged up by the hairs of her head: at last had a huge stone fastened to her, and so thrown into the river; after which her seven Children in like manner,With her seven sons. with sundry and divers kinds of torments were all of them martyred by the Tyrant. These seven Children of Symphorissa, were fastened to seven stakes, then racked up with a pully, & afterwards thrust thorow; Crescens in the neck, Julianus in the breast, Nemesius in the heart, Primitivus in the navil, Justinus was cut in every joint of his body, Statteus run thorow with spears, and Eugenius cut asunder from the breast to the lower parts, and then all of them were cast into a deep pit; Adrian being at Athens, sacrificed to the Idols after the manner of the Grecians, and gave free leave to whomsoever vvould, to persecute the Christians, which should refuse it: whereupon Quadratus bishop of Athens, a man of admirable zeal, and famous for learning,Quadratus his Apology for the Christians, and Aristides, and Serenus. exhibited to the Emperour a learned and excellent Apology in defence of the Christian Religion: The like also did Aristides, an excellent Philosopher in Athens. There was also one Serenus Granius, a man of great nobility, who writ pithy and grave Letters to Hadrian; shewing that it was neither agreeable to right nor reason, that the blood of innocents should be given up to the rage and fury of the people, and be condemned for no other fault but for their opinions; Hereupon the Emperour became more favourable to them, writing also in their behalf to Minutius Fundanus, Proconsul of Asia, that if they had no other crime objected against them, but their Religion, they should not be put to death. Yet notwithstanding all this, the rage of the heathen multitude did not disquiet and persecute the people of God; imputing to them whatsoever mischief and judgements befell them; yea, they invented against them all manner of Contumelies,Christians falsly accused. and false crimes to accuse them of, whereby many in sundry places vvere molested and put death.
After Hadrian, succeeded Antoninus Pius, An. Pi. Emp. shews them …avour.vvho being informed of the cruel sufferings of the Christians, vvrote this Letter to his Commons of Asia, forbidding them to persecute the Christians any further, which Epistle he thus concludes, If any hereafter shall offer any vexation and trouble to Christians, having no other cause, but because they are such, let him that is appeached, be released, and freely discharged, An excellent Law.and let his Accuser sustain the punishment, &c.
By this means then the tempest of persecution began in those days to be appeased, through the mercifull providence of God; who would not have his Church to be utterly overthrown and rooted up thereby: The rod of the wicked shall not always rest upon the lot of the righteous, Psalm 125.3.
Here place the second Figure.