The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Dionysius Aeropagite
The Life of Dionysius Areopagita, who dyed Anno Christi 96.
DIonysius Areopagita was born at Athens of eminent Parents,His Parentage and education. he was very studious: He travelled into Egypt to get skill in Astronomie: At the age of 25 years at Heliopolis, whilest he lived with Apollophanes the Philosopher, he saw that general Eclipse of the Sun at our Saviours passion, and as one amazed, said, Aut Deus naturae patitur, His speech at Christs death.aut mundi machina dissolvetur: Either the God of Nature now suffers, or the frame of the World shall be dissolved: And to another, Ignotus in carne patitur Deus, &c. God, unknown in the flesh, doth suffer, for whose sake the Universe is covered with this thick darkness.
Saint Paul coming to Athens, Act. 17. and espying an Altar there with this inscription, Ignoto Deo, took occasion from thence to Preach of the true God, of the Resurrection, and Judgement to come: whereupon by the great Philosophers of that City, he was accounted a wicked, and sacrilegious person, for which he was carryed by them to Mars his hill, where the Court of the Areopagites sat which was the chiefest Judicatory in that City: But before those Judges he preached with such Divine eloquence, and forcible arguments, that through Gods mercy he converted this Dionysius, the chief President of the Judges,D…onysius converted. with Damaris his wife, who used Paul very courteously, and were instructed by him in the knowledg of our Lord Jesus Christ. At which the whole City was much amazed: for all men accounted Dionysius a very wise and judicious man; But now he was not ashamed of a Master to become a Scholar: so that within 3 years space, he became an admirable instrument to propagate the Gospel of our Saviour Jesus Christ.He is made Pastor at Athens. Then was he by Paul ordained Pastor of the Church at Athens, where for a good while he preached the Word of God with great wisdom, zeal and diligence; and as a wife Harvest-man brought in many Sheaves of Corn into Gods Barn. Afterwards he went to Ephesus to visit S. John, and S. Paul: by whose perswasion (leaving one Publius to look to his flock at Athens) he went to Rome, He goes to Rome.at which time Clemens governed that Church.And into France. And having conversed a while with Clemens, he intreated him to go into France to preach the Gospel there, and to give knowledge of Salvation to that Nation: This he willingly undertook; and judging Paris to be the fittest place to reside in, he so laboured amongst them, that in a short space, through Gods blessing,The success of his Ministry. he brought many Sheep into the fold of Christ, and that not only of the meaner sort, but many Rich, Noble, and Great Persons, who overthrowing the Temples of their false gods, erected new places for the service of the true God. But this progress of the Gospel being envied by Satan,Satans mallice the enemie of Christs Church: he stirred up the Idolatrous Priests, who suborned many to dispatch Dionysius: Gods mercy.but there was such a gracious lustre, and radiancy in his countenance, that when they beheld him, some of their hearts failed them: others were so affrighted, that they fled away.
Shortly after, Sisinius the Praefect gave command that Dionysius, with his fellows,His apprehension. should be apprehended; and when he was brought before him, he sharply reproved him, for that he had preached against the Worship of their gods, who, by reason of his Sermons, had lost their former honour and esteem: He therefore required him to confess his error, and to stop up that breach which he had made, leaving off those novelties, and unheard of Doctrines, that by his recantation the people might see how vainly they had been seduced, and so return to their antient Rites and Customs again.His zeal, and courage. To this Dionysius with great zeal, wisdom, and eloquence, answered: That they were no gods whom they worshipped, but Idols, and the works of mens hands, and that it was through meer Ignorance, Folly, and Idolatry that they adored them: Adding, that there was but one true God, according as he had preached: At which words Sisinius was exceedingly incensed, commanding him to be laid upon an hurdle, and a gentle fire to be made under him to roast him. Some others relate,Miracles. that he was thrown to hungry wild Beasts, which yet would not tear him: Then that he was put into an hot Oven, which would not burn him. Whereupon he was the second time brought before Sisinius, Persecutors cruelty.who caused him publikely to be beaten with many, and cruel blows by his Officers: and when this prevailed not, he standing up, said: Seeing thou hast contemned our gods, derided the Emperors Edicts, and by Magick hast wrought many Miracles to delude the people, whereby thou hast seduced them from the obedience of the Emperor I will therefore that thou shalt be forthwith beheaded. Dionysius nothing terrified herewith, told him that he worshipped such gods as would perish like dung upon the Earth; but as for my self (said he) Come life, A brave speech.come death, I will worship none but the God of Heaven and Earth. This so enraged the Praefect, that he commanded him presently to be executed▪ whereupon he was haled out of the City to the top of an high Mountain, and delivered to the Officers to be tormented, which was accomplished with all the cruelty that could be: Then lifting up his eyes and hands to heaven he said, O Lord God Almighty, thou only begotten Son, and Holy Spirit: O sacred Trinty, His Prayer at death.which art without beginning, and in whom is no division: Receive the soul of thy servant in peace, who is put to death for th… Cause and Gospel: Which Prayer being ended, he was beheaded with a sword which was made dull on purpose that his pain might be the greater.His Martyrdom.
He suffered Martyrdom in the reign of Hadrianus, Anno Christi 96. and of his own Age 110.
He used to say, that he desired these two things of God, His saying.first that be might know the truth himself: Secondly, that he might preach it as he ought unto others.
He wrote sundry Epistles,His works. (as some affirm) and some other works: all which Scultetus for very good reasons rendred by him, judgeth to be spurious.