An Alphabetical Martyrology, Appendix – Publishers advertisement
An Appendix, &c.
THE First Persecution was raised by Nero Domitius, the 6th Emperour of Rome; who thought, by raising a Persecution in all his Provinces, to abolish the Name of Christians. It was done in the year of Christ, 67. Vol. 1. p. 44.
The Second Persecution began in the 69. year of Christ by Domitian, who began mildly, yet did after so rage in pride, that he commanded himself to be worship'd as God: He slew most of the Nobles, and all of the Seed of David: He intending to destroy all of the Seed of David, lest Christ should come and cast him out of his Empire: And sending for two Nephews of Iude, the Brother of Christ, who were then alive; and demanding of them concerning Christ's Kingdom, upon their information that it was not an earthly Kingdom, but an heavenly Kingdom, to be manifested in the consummation of the World, when he should come again to judge the quick and dead. Domitian stayed the Persecution, and dismissed them. Vol. 1. p. 48.
The Third Persecution began by Trajan, 100 years after the other. He was a very just Man in Matters of the Commom-wealth, but in religious things he was very cruel. Vol. 1. p. 57.
The Fourth Persecution began by Marcus Antoninus Verus, who began to Reign in the 162. year of Christ, and was very sharp and severe against Christians: which Christians, when the Armies of this Emperour were warring against the Vandals, and had like to have perished for want of Water five dayes, did, to the number of a Legion, withdraw themselves suddenly from the Camp, and prostrated themselves before God; and by ardent Prayer obtained of God, by and by, a double relief; Rain for themselves, and Lightning, discomfiting their Enemies, who were many of them put to flight: which Miracle so pleased the Emperour, that he abated his fury against the Christians; grew milder, and ordered his Rulers to give thanks to the Christians, no less for his victory, than for the preservation of himself; and also ordered that their Accusers should be burned alive. Vol. 1. p. 54. to 66.
The Fifth Persecution was raised by Severus, the Emperour; who, in the year of Christ, 215. proclaimed, and commanded, no Christian should be suffered. Vol. 1. p. 70.
The Sixth Persecution began by Maximinus, about 237 years of Christ, against the Teachers of the Christians; thinking thereby to destroy the rest the sooner. Vol. 1. p. 76.
The Seventh Persecution was raised by Decius, in the 250. year of Christ. Vol. 1. p. 77.
The Eighth Persecution was raised by Emilianus, President of Egypt, 259 years after Christ. Vol. 1. p. 88.
The Ninth Persecution was raised by Aurelian, in the 276. year of Christ. Vol. 1. p. 98.
The Tenth Persecution was raised by Dioclesian, in the 308. year of Christ, and lasted 10 years. This Dioclesian and Maximinian, deposed the Emperial Office willingly, 309. and lived retiredly. Vol. 1. p. 100.105.
King Henry 8. King of England, by the instigation of Stephen Gardiner, and other Popish Prelates, was forced to make, and decree, these 6 Articles, to be observed by his Subjects, 1540. which were cause of great Persecution.
1. That in the Sacrament of the Altar upon the efficacy of the words of Christ exprest by the Priest, Christ's natural body is really present, Water, Bread, and Wine; and that after Consecration there remains no Bread, nor Wine, nor any other substance; but the substance of Christ, God and Man.
2. That the Communion in both kinds is not necessary absolutely, by the Law of God, to all Persons; and that in the Flesh, under the form of Bread is the very Blood; and with the Blood, under the form of Wine, is the very Flesh; as well apart, as they were both together.
3. That the Priests, after the Order of Priesthood, may not marry by the Law of God.
4. Vows of Chastity and Widowhood, advisedly made by the Law of God, ought to be kept; and exempteth from other liberties of Christian People, which else they might enjoy.
5. That it is meet and necessary, that private Masses be continued in the English Church and Congregation.
6. That Auricular Confession is necessary, and expedient to be retained, used, and frequented in the Church of God.
The Opposers of those Articles were to be esteemed Fellons, and to lose both life and goods; which occasioned great and cruel Persecutions. Vol. 2. p. 441.
These Articles, and all other Popish Articles, were repealed by King Edward the 6th. Vol. 2. p. 654.
FINIS.
Books printed for, and sold by, R. Butler, next Door to the Lamb and three Bowls in Barbican.
1. A Skirmish made upon Quakerism, being a brief Confutation of a most gross Principle, or Point of Doctrine, published and maintained by one William Penne, a Quaker, in two Sheets.
2. The Shibboleth of Quakerism, or that which they call The pure Language, proved as used amongst us, to be only a matter of indifferency, and not of absolute necessity, as you-ing and thou-ing, and the naming the Days and the Months, &c. in two Sheets.
3. One Sheet against the Quakers, detecting their error and mis-practice, in refusing to reverence Men outwardly by Word and Behaviour after the manner in use among us, which is proved to be good and lawful.
4. Quakerism proved to be gross Blasphemy, and Antichristian Heresie, in four Sheets; all stitch'd together, price, Nine-pence.
End of the text · John Foxe, An Alphabetical Martyrology (1677)