A General Martyrology, Chapter 10
CHAP. X. The fourth Primitive Persecution, which began Anno Christi, 162.
AFter the death of that quiet and mild Prince Antoninus Pius, his son M. Antoninus Verus succeeded in the Empire, a stern and severe man by nature, who raised the fourth persecution against the Christians; wherein a great number of them, who truly professed Christ, suffered most cruel punishments and torments especially in Asia and France, amongst whom was Polycarp Bishop of Smyrna, who was burnt at a stake at Smyrna, together with twelve others that came from Philadelphia. Also Germanicus a young man,Polycarp martyr. did most constantly persevere in the Doctrine of Christ, whom when the Proconsul of Asia desired to remember his age, and to favour himself,Germanacus. Constancy. he would by no flatteries be with-drawn from his stedfastness, but remaining constant, was thrown to the wild beasts, whom he allured and provoked to come upon him, and devour him, that he might be the more speedily delivered out of this wretched life. Also in this persecution suffered Metrodorus, a Minister, who was consumned by fire;Metrodorus. Pionus Apollggy and Martyrdom. and Pionius who after much boldness of speech, with his Apologies exhibited, and his Sermons made to the people in defence of the Christian faith, and after much relieving and comforting such as were in prisons and distress, at last was put to cruel torments, and then burned in the fire, Also at Pargamopolis in Asia, suffered Carpus, Papilus, and Agathonica, a woman, who after their most constant and worthy confessions,Carpus, Papilus and Agathonica. were put to death.
At Rome, Felicitas with her seven Children were martyred, whereof her eldest son, after he vvas whipt and grievously scourged with rods,Felicitas and her seven children. vvas prest to death with leaden weights: the two next had their brains beaten out with mawls: the fourth was thrown down head-long from an high place, and brake his neck: the three youngest were beheaded; and lastly, the mother was slain with the svvord.
Also Justin Martyr, a man that excelled in learning and Philosophy, and a great Defender of the Christian Religion, who had delivered to the Emperor and Senate,Justin Ma…tyas Apology and Martyrdom. an Apology in defence of the Christians, suffered Martyrdom in this persecution.
There was in Egypt a certain woman married to a husband that was given much unto laciviousness, whereunto she her self also had been formerly addicted; but being instructed in the Christian Religion, she became a chast and godly Matron, and endeavoured to perswade her husband also thereunto: But he continuing in his filthy life, she resolved to be divorced from him; yet at the request of her friends: she forbore, to try if by any means he would be reclaimed: But he going to Alexandria, and living more licenciously then before, she sued out a bill of Divorce, and so was separated from him; then did this malicious wretch accuse her to be a Christian,Malice. which was no lesse then death, whereupon she being in great perill, delivered up a supplication to the Emperour, craving but so much favour, that she might go and set her family in order, and then she would be ready to answer to all such crimes as should be objected against her: This petition the Emperour granted; Her husband perceiving that he was frustrated of his expectation, went and accused Ptolemaeus (who was her instructer in the faith of Christ) that he was a Christian.Ptolemaus. Ptolemaeus loving the truth, and not thinking it good to hide his profession, confessed it: Therefore being brought before Vrbicius the Judge, he was by him condemned to die;Lucius. Whereupon one Lucius a Christian, standing by, said to the Judge, What reason, I pray you, or equity is this, that this man, who is neither Adulterer, Fornicator, Murtherer, nor Felon, nor guilty of any other crime, should he condemned for his name, and profession of Christianity? These manner of Judgements (O Urbicius) are neither honourable for the Emperor, nor for the estate of the Senate of Rome: Then said Vrbicius, Note.Methinks thou also art a Christian, which Lucius confessing, the Judge without any further delay, commanded him also to be had away to the place of Execution; to whom he answered, I thank you with all my heart, that hereby you release me from most wicked governors, and send me to my good and loving Father, who is God of gods, and King of Kings. Also a third man coming to the Judge, and using the like liberty of speech, had the like sentence of death, and was crowned with the same crown of Martyrdom.
Concordus.Also one Concordus, a Minister of the City of Spoleto, because he refused to sacrifice to Jupiter, and did spit in the face of the Idol, after divers cruel torments sustained, was beheaded with the sword.
Many others also suffered Martyrdom at the same time, because they sharply reprehended Idolatry, and refused at the Emperors command, to offer sacrifice to Idols, for which they were beheaded.
Persecutions in France.Many Christians also suffered in France, the History of whom was written, and set forth by their own Churches, and directed to the brethren of Asia and Phrygia; wherein they write, that Satans Instruments were so maliciously active against them, that they could not be safe any where, neither in the Markets, Shops, nor their own Houses. Yea, they were forbidden to come into any publick places: But God in Mercy took out of the Tyrants hands,Gods Providence. such as were weak amongst the Christians, and sets up others, as Pillars, who are able to abide all sufferings, and valiantly to withstand the enemy, notwithstanding all the opprobrious punishments they could devise;Patience. yea, by their admirable patience they shewed that all the sufferings of this present time were not to be compared with the glory which they expected to be revealed in them. First they suffered whatsoever the frantick multitude could inflict upon them,Divers torments▪ by railings, scourgings, drawings and halings, flinging of stones, imprisonment, &c. Then were they led to the Market-place, vvhere the Captain and other City-Officers, commanded them to prison, after they had made confessions of their faith publickly, till the return of the chief Governor: Who being come back, he used all extremity that possibly he could against them. At which time a noble young man, called Vetius Epagathus, Vetius Epagathus his zeal.being replenished with fervent zeal and love, both to God and the brethren, could not suffer the wicked Judgement which vvas given against the brethren: Whereupon he desired the Governor to hear vvhat he had to say in their behalf, in whom vvas no impiety found: But the people cryed out against him, and the Justice denied his lawfull request, withal, asking him vvhether he himself vvere not a Christian? unto which, vvith a loud and bold voice he answered, I am a Christian; And thus was he received into the fellowship of the Martyrs▪ By this worthy example the rest of the brethren were more animated to suffer Martyrdom: Yet some there were as yet weak, and not so well prepared for sufferings, of vvhom there vvere ten that fainted, vvhichwhich filled the rest vvith great heaviness.Humane frailty. Their example also caused such as vvere not yet apprehended to be less forward in adventuring themselves; yet every day were some apprehended, which were worthy to fill up the number of them which vvere fallen.
Against the Christians vvere their heathen servants examined, and being threatned vvith extream torments, they vvere enforced to confess against their Masters,Christians slandered. that at their meetings they kept the feasts of Thiestes, and incest of Oedipus, and many other such like crimes, not fit to be named, which things being bruted abroad, every one began to exercise their cruelty against the people of God; yea, their familiar friends disdained and vvaxed mad against them.
Then vvas all manner of cruelty used against them, especially against Sanctus, Deacon of the Church of Viena, and Maturus, but a little before baptized, but yet a worthy souldier of Christ.Sanctus. Maturus. Attalus. Blandina. Also against Attalus and Blandina, concerning whom vve vvere all afraid, especially her Mistress, lest through vveakness she should not stand to her profession; but, through Gods Grace, she vvas so admirably replenished vvith strength and boldness,A miracle of Mercy. that they vvhichwhich had the tormenting of her by course from morning till night, for very vveariness gave over, and fell dovvn, confessing that they could do no more against her, marvelling that she yet lived, having her body so torn and rent as it vvas:Tormentors, wearied. professing that any one of those torments alone had been sufficient to bereave her of life. But this blessed Virgin became stronger and stronger in her sufferings, and as often as she spake these vvords, I am a Christian, and have not committed any evil, she was vvonderfully comforted.Note.
Sanctus also, who in his torments had endured more pains then the nature of man vvas able to stand under, when the wicked▪ thought to have heard him utter some blasphemous vvords, through the intollerableness of his pains, abode notwithstanding so constant in mind, that they could neither extort out of him▪ vvhat Countryman he vvas, where brought up, what his name was, vvhether a bond-man, or a free, but to every question he answered,Admirable constancy. I am a Christian: When therefore they had used all other kinds of torments, they clapped plates of brass red hot to the tenderest parts of his body, wherewith, though he was grievouslly scorched, yet shrunk he not for the matter; yea though his body was all drawn together with the scorching fire, so that he retained not the proper shape of a man, yet did he draw comfort from Christ, so as to rejoyce in these tribulations. After a while they brought him again to new torments, hoping thereby to enforce him to a recantation; at which time his body was so sore and swoln, that he could not suffer a man to touch him: but contrary to their expectation, his body in these latter torments was so suppled and restored, that he recovered the former shape and use of his members,A miracle of Mercy. so that these second torments, through the Grace of Christ, proved a soveraign medicine to him.
Satan also now thinking that he was sure of Biblides, who was one of those that had denied Christ, and hoping to prevail with her, a weak and feeble woman in the faith,Biblides. to damn her soul by blaspheming God, brought her to the place of Execution; but she in the midst of her torments returning to her self, and by those pains remembring the torments of hell, said to her tormentors, How should we Christians eat our own Children (as you report of us) when we eat not the blood of any beast? and so confessing her self to be a Christian, she was martyred with the rest.
Yet here did not the rage of the enemies cease; for when the Christians were cast into prison, they were shut up in dark and ugly dungeons, and drawn by the feet in a rack, even unto the fifth hole: some of them were strangled and killed in the prisons; others remaining in prison, destitute of all humane help, were so strengthned by the Lord, both in body and mind, that they were a great comfort to the rest: The younger sort, whose bodies had not yet felt the lash of the whip, were not able to endure the sharpness of their imprisonment, but died under the same.
Photinus, Deacon to the Bishop of Lyons, about eighty nine years old,Photinus. weak and feeble, by reason of age and sickness, yet of a lively spirit and courage, by reason of the great desire which he had of martyrdom, being brought to the Judgement seat, and being there demanded of the chief Ruler, What was the Christian-mans God? he answered, If thou beest worthy to know, thou shalt know: the Ruler being enraged herewith, caused him to be extreamly beaten: also such as stood next him, did him all the despight they could, beating and kicking him without any regard to his reverend gray hairs; others that were further off, threw at him vvhatsoever came next hand; and thus whilst he vvas gasping after life, they threw him into prison, where after tvvo days he died.
They also vvhichwhich in the first pesecution had denied Christ, vvere apprehended, cast into prison, and made partakers of the others afflictions; yea, they had twice so much punishment as the other had: and whereas they which had been constant,Danger of Apostacy. were refreshed with the joy of Martyrdom, with the hope of Gods Promises, and with the love of Christ, and his holy Spirit; the other Apostates being full of guilt, went out to death, with dejected and ill-favoured countenances, and were filled with shame, so that the very Gentiles reviled them as degenerous persons, and worthy to suffer as evil-doers: whereas in the mean time, they which had remained constant, went to their Martyrdom with cheerfull countenances, adorned with glory and grace: yea, their very bonds wherewith they were tyed, set them out as brides when they are decked in gorgious aray: and withal they had such a redolent smell, as if they had been anointed with some sweet balm: by which sights the rest were confirmed, and being apprehended, confessed Christ without any staggering.
The Martyrdom of the Saints was of divers kinds, as the offering to God a Garland decked with sundry kinds of colours and flowers.
Maturus, Attalus, and Blandina, were again brought forth to the publick Scaffold, where Maturus and Sanctus suffered again all manner of torments, as if they had suffered nothing before: They were scourged, torn of wild beasts, set in red hot iron chairs, in which their bodies were dried as on a grid-iron, and their tormentors raged more and more against them, labouring to overcome the patience of the Saints: yet could they get nothing out of Sanctus's mouth, but that he was a Christian: These holy men having been thus made a spectacle all the day to the people, were at last slain. Then Blandina being fastened to a stake, was cast to the wild beasts, but they, as being more mercifull then men, would not come near her: then they cast her again into prison, where she, though a weak woman, yet armed with invincible courage by Christ, mightily encouraged her brethren. Then was Attalus brought forth with this inscription, This is Attalus the Christian, against whom the people were much enraged, but the Governour understanding that he was a Roman, remanded him to prison till …he understood the Emperors pleasure: Many that had before denied Christ, through Gods Grace, recovered themselves again,Recovery after fals. and tasted the sweetness of him that desired not the death of a sinner, &c. and of their own accord came to the Judgement seat to be examined; then did the Judge, when a great concourse of people was met together, s…nd for all the Christian prisoners, and as many as were Free-men of Rome he beheaded, the Residue he gave to be devoured of wild beasts, amongst whom also they which had before denied Christ, joyfully suffered Martyrdom. Whilst the Christians were examining at the Bar, one Alexander, a Physitian, by signs, and becks,Alexander. perswaded those which were examined, boldly to confess Christ, which the people taking notice of, accused him to the Judge: who asking him what Religion he was of, he answered, I am a Christian: whereupon he was immediatly adjudged to be devoured of the beasts.
The next day was Attalus and this Alexander brought forth to the Sca…fold, where they had all manner of torments inflicted upon them, and having endured the greatest agony that possibly they could be put to, they were at the last slain: Alexander never so much as sighed, but prayed to, and praised God all the while he was tormented: Attalus, when he was set in the iron chair, and the frying savour of his burning body began to smell,Note. said to the people, Behold! this which you do is to eat mans flesh: for we neither eat men, nor commit any other wickedness: And being demanded what was the name of their God, he said, Our God hath no such name as men have;Blasphemy▪ then said they, Let us see whether your God can help you, and take you out of our hands. Then was Blandina again brought forth,Ponticus a boy of fifteen years old. and with her one Ponticus, a youth of fifteen years old, who defying their Idols, and constantly cleaving to Christ, were put to all the torments their enraged enemies could devise: the youth having suffered all kinds of torments, at last gave up the ghost: Blandina was first pitifully whipped, then thrown to the wild beasts, then tormented upon the grid-iron, then put into a net, and thrown to the wild Bull, and when she was tossed, gored, and wounded with his horns, she was at last slain, but was so filled with ravishing joyes of the H. Ghost, that she felt no pain during all her torments.Joy unspeakable. Such as were strangled in prisons, were afterwards thrown to dogs, and had keepers both day and night set to watch them, lest their bones and members should be buried. In the mean time the Gentiles extolled their Idols, mocking and flouting the Christians, saying, Where is your God that you so much boast of? Blasphemy.and what helpeth this your religion for which you give your lives? The bodies of the Martyrs were thus made a gazing-stock for six days in the open streets, and then were burned, and their Ashes thrown into the River.
Justin Martyr. Alcibiades.Also in this persecution Justin Martyr, through the malice of Crescens the Philosopher, suffered Martyrdom. Also one Alcibiades a man of a strict life, eating only bread and water, was cast into the prison where Attalus, and other Christians lay; and Alcibiades continued the same strict diet in prison: but it was from God revealed to Attalus, that he did not well in refusing the other good Creatures of God, and that it was scandalous to his brethren: whereupon he reformed, and ate of all things boldly with thanksgiving.
About this time Clandius Apolinaris, Bishop of Hieropolis, and Melito Bishop of Sardis, Clau. Apolinaris and Melito Apologize for the Christians.eloquent and learned men, delivered to the Emperour excellent Apologies written by them in defence of the Christian Religion, whereby they prevailed with him somewhat to stay the rage of his Persecution: which also was furthered upon this occasion: Marcus Aurelius, and Marcus Antonius the Emperors, going to War against the Quades, Vandals, Sarmates and Germans; their Army, by the multitude of their enemies, was coopt up in some strait, dry and hot places, where the souldiers having been destitute of water for five days together, were all like to perish. Hereupon a Legion of Christian souldiers being in the Army,The thundring Legion. with-drew apart from the rest, and falling prostrate upon the earth, by ardent prayer, obtained of God a double relief: for the Lord sent the Romans such showers, as satisfied their necessities, and flashed such lightnings against their enemies, that thereby they were discomfited and put to flight. This Miracle so pleased the Emperor, that ever after he used the Christians gentler, writing also to divers Rulers, commanding them to give thanks to the Christians, as for their victory, so for the preservation of himself, and his Army. His letters was to this purpose, That whereas himself and Army, were invironed with nine hundred seventy five thousand fighting men, and were like to perish for want of water, the Christians praying to a God, that he knew not, obtained relief for him, and by hail and lightning, Destruction to his enemies; whereby he perceived their God to be a mighty God. Hereupon he decreed that none should be punished for the Christian Profession, being guilty of no other crime,A good Edict. and that the Accusers of the Christians should be burned alive: Which degree he commanded to be recorded in the Senate-house, proclaimed publickly in the Court of Trajan, and sent diligently into all his Provinces, that all might take notice of the same.
Yet not long after, Apollonius a noble Senator of Rome, was accused by his own servant before the Judge, for being a Christian;Apollonius. The Accuser, according to the the Decree, had his legs broken, and was put to death.A just reward of treachery. But Apollonius having rendred an accocnt of his faith before the Senate, was condemned to be beheaded, notwithstanding the Decree, because there was an old Law, that any that was arraigned for professing Christ, without a recantation, could not be released.
Commodus the Emperor upon his birth-day, calling the people of Rome together, in a great royalty, clothed in his Lions skin, sacrificed to Hercules causing it to be proclaimed, that Hercules was the Patron of the City: whereupon Vincentius, Eusebius, Peregrinus and Pontentianus, learned men, and Pastors of the Congregations, being stirred up with zeal,Vincentius, Eusebius, Peregrinus and Potentianus. Zeal, went about from place to place, converting the Gentiles to the faith of Christ, and hearing of the madness of the Emperor and people, they reproved that Idolatrous blindness, exhorting them to believe in the true and living God, and that forsaking the worshipping of devils, they should honour God alone. The Emperor hearing thereof, caused them to be apprehended, and required them to sacrifice to Hercules, which they refusing to do, he caused them to be grievously tormented, and at last to be pressed to death with weights of lead.
Julius a Roman Senator,Julius. having been converted by the preaching of these men, afterwards sent for Ruffinus a Minister, by whom himself and all his family were baptized, and burning with holy zeal,Zeal. he made an open profession of the faith of Christ, praying that he might not only believe, but that he might have the honour to suffer for his Name. The Emperor hearing that he was become a Christian, sent for him, to whom he said, O Julius, What madness possesseth thee thus to forsake the Religion of thy Fore-fathers, to embrace a new and fond kind of Religion of the Christians? Hereupon Julius made before him a free and open profession of his faith, affirming that the Roman gods were false gods, and that they that worshipped them, should be punished with everlasting damnation. The Emperor hearing that he despised his gods, was much enraged, and committed him to Vitellius, a cruel and fierce man, to compell him, either to sacrifice to Hercules, or to slay him: But Julius nothing discouraged, and perswading Vitellius to acknowledge, and serve the true God, was at his command with Cudgels beaten to death.