Vol 02 - THE ANSWER OF TRAJAN TO PLINY.

THE ANSWER OF TRAJAN TO PLINY
THE act and statute, my Secundus, concerning the Christians, you have rightly executed. For no such general law can be enacted, wherein all special cases particularly can be comprehended. Let them not be sought for; but if they be brought and convicted, then let them suffer, execution: so notwithstanding, that whosoever shall deny himself to be a Christian, and do sacrifice to our gods, let him be released. Such libels as have no names, suffice not to any just crime; for that would give both an evil precedent; neither does it agree with the example of our time."
Tertullian, writing upon this letter of Trajan, says, 110 sentence of a confused necessity! He would not have them to be sought, as men innocent; and yet causes them to be punished as persons guilty." And thus the rage of that persecution ceased for a time; although, notwithstanding, many cruel officers ceased not to afflict the Christians in divers provinces: as in Jerusalem, after the emperor Trajan had sent commandment, that whosoever could be found of the stock of David should be put to death. Certain of the Jewish nation accused Simeon, the bishop of Jerusalem, to come of the stock of David. This Simeon was scourged many days together, being 120 years old. In which both the consul and all the multitude did marvel to see him of that age so constantly to suffer: and so at last being crucified, he finished his course in the Lord.
In this persecution suffered Phocas, bishop of Pontus, whom Trajan, because he would not do sacrifice to Neptune, caused to be cast into a hot lime-kiln, and afterward to be put into a scalding has, where he, in the testimony of CHRIST, ended his life.
Also in this persecution suffered the blessed martyr Ignatius, appointed bishop of Antioch next after St. Peter; who was given to wild beasts to be devoured. ((1 See Vol. 1:)
Besides this godly Ignatius, many thousands also were put to death in the same persecution.,, as appears by the letter of Pliny, above recited. Next after Trajan succeeded Adrian the emperor; under whom suffered Alexander, the bishop of Rome, with his two deacons, Euentius and Theodorus; also Hermes and Quirinus, with their families.
Moreover, in the time of Adrian, Zenon, a nobleman of Rome, with 10,203, were slain for CHRIST. There was one Eustachius, a captain, whom Trajan, in time past, had sent out to war against the barbarians. After he had, by God's grace, valiantly subdued his enemies, and was now returning home with victory; Adrian, for joy, meeting him in his journey, to bring him home with triumph, by the way would first do sacrifice to Apollo for the victory gotten; willing also Eustachius to do the same with him. But when Eustachius could by no means be thereto enforced, being brought to Rome, there, with his wife and children, he suffered martyrdom under the aforesaid Adrian.
We read also of Faustinus and Jobita, citizens of Brixia, who suffered martyrdom with grievous torments. One Calocerius, seeing their patience, cried out, " Verily, great is the God of Christians! " Forthwith he was apprehended, and being brought to the place of execution, was made partaker of their martyrdom.
While Adrian was at Athens, Quadratus, a man of no less excellent zeal than learning, being then bishop of Athens, exhibited unto him a learned apology, in the defense of the Christian religion; wherein he declared the Christians, without all just _cause, to be so cruelly treated and persecuted. The like did Aristides, another no less excellent philosopher. Also Serenus Granius, a man of great nobility, wrote letters to Adrian, declaring it was not consonant with right or reason, for the blood of innocents to be given to the fury of the people, and to be condemned for no fault, only for the name and sect that they followed.
The emperor being better informed concerning the Christians, became more favorable unto them: and immediately wrote to Minutius Fundanus, proconsul of Asia, willing him to exercise no more such extremity against the Christians, as to condemn any of them; having no other crime objected against them, but only their name.
After the death of Adrian, succeeded Antoninus, about the year of our Lord 140, and reigned 23 years; who, for his clemency and modest behavior, had the name of Pius. His saying was, "That he had rather save one citizen, than destroy a thousand of his adversaries." At the beginning of his reign, such was the state of the church, as Adfian his predecessor had left it; in which, although there was no edict to persecute the Christians, yet the rage of the heathens did not cease to afflict the people of God; ascribing to the Christians whatsoever misfortune happened. Moreover, inventing against them all false crimes and contumelies, whereof to accuse them. By reason whereof there were divers in sundry places molested, and some put to death: but not by the consent of the emperor; who was so mild and gentle, that either he raised up no persecution against the Christians, or else he soon stayed the same.
After the decease of Antoninus Pius, (who, among all other emperors of that time, made the most quiet end,) followed his son, M. Antoninus Verus, with Lucius, his brother, about the year of our Lord 162, a man more stern and severe. And, although in civil government no less commendable, yet, toward the Christians, sharp and fierce; by whom was moved the fourth persecution. In whose time, a great number of them, which professed CHRIST, suffered most cruel torments, both in Asia and. France. In the number of whom was Polycarp, the worthy bishop of Smyrna: who, in the great rage of this persecution in Asia, was martyred. (6:T See Vol. 1:)
In the same persecution suffered Pionius; who, after much boldness of speech in his apologies and sermons made to the people, in the defense of the Christian faith, and after much relieving and comforting many that were in prisons, and otherwise discomforted, at last, was put to cruel torments;. then given to the fire; and so finished his martyrdom.
As these suffered in Asia, so in Rome suffered Felicitas with her seven children. The names of those children were Januarius, Felix, Philip, Silvanus, Alexander, Vitalis, Martialis. Of whom Januarius, after he was whipped and scourged with rods, was pressed to death with leaden weights. Felix and Philip had their brains beaten out with Inawls. Silvanus was cast down headlong, and had his neck broken. Alexander, Vitalis, and Martialis were beheaded. Last of all, Felicitas, the mother, was slain with the sword.
In this persecution suffered also Justin, a man excellent -in learning and philosophy, and a great defender of the Christian religion; who first exhibited unto the emperor,.and to the senate, an apology in the defense of the Christians, and afterwards himself died a martyr.
Under the same Antoninus suffered Ptolemeus and Lucius, for the confession of CHRIST, in a city of Egypt, whose history is recited in Eusebius as follows.
"There was a certain woman married unto a husband, who was given much to lasciviousness, whereunto she herself, in times past,- was addicted. But she, being instructed in the Christian religion, and being chaste herself, persuaded her husband to live chastely; often telling him, that it was written in the precepts of the Christians, that they should be punished eternally who lived not chastely in this life. But he, still continuing in his filthiness, caused his wife to estrange herself from his company. To revenge which, he accused her of being a Christian. Whereupon she, being in great danger, delivered- to the emperor a supplication; desiring, first, to set her family in order, and that done, to answer all that might be laid against her.: whereunto the emperor condescended. Her husband, seeing this, accused also her instructor in the faith of CHRIST: who being brought before Urbicius, the judge, was by him condemned to suffer. One Lucius, standing by, said to Urbicius, ` What reason or equity is this, that this man, who is neither adulterer, nor fornicator, nor homicide, nor felon; neither has conVnitted any crime, is condemned only for his name and confession of being a Christian This condemnation, and this manner of judgment, O Urbicius, are neither seemly for the virtuous emperor, nor for the philosopher his son; nor yet for the estate of his senate of Rome.'
" Urbicius, making no further examination, said unto Lucius, `You art also a Christian.' And when Lucius had given him to understand that he was, the judge, without further delay, commanded him to be had away to execution. To whom he answered, ` I thank you with all my heart, that you release me from most wicked governors, and send me unto my good and most loving Father, the King of all gods.' A third man also, coming unto him, and using the like liberty of speech, had the like sentence of death, and was crowned with the same crown of martyrdom."
In the same persecution, which raged not in Rome and Asia only, but in other countries also, suffered the martyrs of Lyons and Vienne; giving to CHRIST a glorious testimony, and to all Christians a spectacle of singular constancy. The history of whom, because it is written by their own churches, where they suffered, I express in their own words, The Servants of CHRIST, inhabiting the cities of Vienne and Lyons, to the Brethren in Asia and Phrygia, having.the same faith and hope of redemption with us: peace and glory from God the Father, and from JESUS CHRIST our Lord, THE greatness of this our tribulation, the furious rage of the Gentiles against us, and the torments which the blessed martyrs have suffered, we can neither in words, -nor yet in writing, exactly, as they deserve, set forth.
For the adversary with all his force, in every place, instructed his ministers how in the most spiteful manner to set upon the servants of God: so that we were universally commanded, that none should be seen in any place. But God has always mercy in store, and took out of their hands such as were weak; and others did he set up as firm and immoveable pillars, able to abide all force, and valiantly to withstand the enemy, enduring all the punishment they could devise. They fought this battle to come unto CHRIST, esteeming their troubles but as light: thereby chewing, that all that may be suffered in this life, is not able to countervail the great glory which shall be showed upon us. And, first, they patiently suffered whatsoever the multitude did unto them; as railings, scourgings, flinging of stones, and imprisonings.
Then being led into the market-place, and there judged of the rulers of the city, after their confession made openly, they were commanded again to prison, until the return of the chief governor. After this they were brought before him, and he used all the extremity that possibly he might against them. Vetius Epagathus, one of the brethren, replenished with fervent zeal both towards God and his brethren, (whose conversation, although he were a young man, eras counted as perfect, as was the life of Zachary the priest for he walked diligently in all the commandments of the Lord, and in all obedience towards his brethren blameless;) he, having within him the love and Spirit of GOD, could not suffer that wicked judgment which was given upon the Christians; but being vehemently displeased, desired the judge would hear the defense which he was minded to make in the behalf of the Christians. But the people cried that it might not be so, though he was a nobleman born, neither did the governor grant him his lawful request; but only asked him,-" Whether he himself was a Christian or not" He immediately, with aloud and bold voice, answered, " 1 am a Christian." And thus was he received into the fellowship of the martyrs, and called the advocate of the Christians.
By this man's example the rest were the more animated to martyrdom, and made more joyous to accomplish the same. Some indeed were riot so well prepared, and not able to bear the vehemency of so great a conflict; of whom there were ten that fainted, ministering to us much heaviness and lamentation. Those, by their example, caused the rest, who were not yet apprehended, to be less willing thereunto. Then were we all astonied: not that we Feared the punishment intended against us, but having respect to the end, and fearing lest others should fall. Every day there were apprehended such as were worthy to fulfil the number of them which were fallen insomuch that, of two churches, all that were chief, and which were the principal governors, were apprehended. With these also certain of the heathens, being our menservants, were apprehended, (for so the governor commanded, that all in general should be taken,) who, fearing the torments which they saw the saints suffer, being also compelled thereunto by the soldiers, feigned against us, that we kept the feastings of Thyestes, and incest of (Edipus, and many other such crimes, which are neither remembered, nor named of us.
These things being now told abroad, every man began to show cruelty against us, insomuch that those, who before were more gentle towards us, now waxed mad against us. And thus was fulfilled that which was spoken: The time will come, that whosoever killeth you, shall think he does God service." Then marvelous was the rage both of the people and prince; especially against Sanctus, who was deacon of the congregation of Vienne; against Maturus, being but a little before baptized, yet a worthy soldier of CHRIST; against Attalus, who was the foundation and pillar of that congregation, and also against Blandina: by whom CHRIST shows those things, which the world esteemed vile and abject, to be glorious in God's sight. For when we were afraid, and specially her mistress in the flesh, who was herself one of the martyrs, lest haply, for weakness of body, she would not stand to her confession; Blandina was so replenished with strength and boldness, that they which had the tormenting of her by course, from morning to night, for very weariness gave over, and were themselves overcome, confessing they could do no more against her, and marvelled that she yet lived, having her body so torn and rent: and testified that any one of those torments alone, had been enough to have plucked the life from her body. But that blessed woman, fighting this worthy battle, became stronger and stronger; and as often as she spoke these words, (I am a Christian; neither have we committed any evil,) it was to her a marvelous comfort and boldening to abide the torments.
Sanctus, who in the midst of his torments endured more pains than the nature of a man might away with, abode, notwithstanding, in such constancy of mind, that he told them not his name, nor what countryman he was, nor in what city brought up; but unto every question that was asked him, he answered, I am a Christian. Neither could the Gentiles get any more of him: whereupon both the governor and tormentors were the more vehemently bent against him. At length, they clapped plates of brass red-hot., to the tenderest parts of his body; yet he never shrunk, but was bold and constant in his confession; being strengthened and moistened with the fountain of living waters flowing out of CHRIST's side. Truly, his body was a sufficient witness what torments he suffered; for it was all drawn together, wounded, and scorched so, that it had lost the shape of a man: in whose suffering CHRIST obtained unspeakable glory; for that he overcame his adversaries, and declared, That nothing ought to be feared where the love of God is; and nothinav is grievous, wherein the glory of CHRIST is manifested.
SATAN, now thinking to have settled himself in the heart of one Biblides, being one of those who had denied CHRIST, and thinking to have caused her, being weak in faith, to have damned her soul, in blaspheming the name of GOD, brought her to the place of execution. But she,
in the middle of her torments, returning to herself, and waking as it were out of sleep, against all men's expectations, broke out, How should we Christians eat young infants, (as ye report of us,) for whom it is not lawful to eat the blood of any beast Upon that, so soon as she confessed herself to be a Christian, she was martyred with the rest.
When CHRIST had ended those torments, by the patience and sufferance of his saints, the devil invented other engines and instruments. For the Christians were shut up in dark and ugly dungeons, and were drawn by the feet in the rack; and many other such punishments suffered they; so that very many of them were killed in prisons, whom the Lord in this manner would have to enjoy everlasting life. And surely these, good men were so tormented, that if they had had all the medicines in the world, it was thought impossible for them to live: yet, thus remaining in prison, destitute of all human help, they were so strengthened of the Lord, and both in body and mind confirmed, that they comforted the minds of the rest. But the younger of them, which had not felt the lash of the whip, were not able to endure the sharpness of their imprisonment, and so died for the same.
The blessed Plotinus, who was deacon to the bishop of Lions, though about eighty-nine years old, and a very feeble man, yet was of a lively courage and spirit: and for the great desire he had of martyrdom, when he was brought unto the judgment-seat, although his body was weak, both because of his old age and also through sickness, yet was his life preserved to this purpose, that by the same CHRIST might be glorified. He being by the soldiers brought to the place of judgment, many citizens and men of great ability followed him; and the whole multitude cried upon him diversly, as though he had been CHRIST himself. For being demanded of the chief ruler what was the Christian man's God he answered, If you be worthy to know, you shall know. He, being with these words touched, caused him to be very sorely beaten. Those that stood next him did him all the spite they could, both with hand and foot, having no regard to his old age or white hairs. And they which were further off, threw whatsoever came next to hand. By this means they thought they revenged the quarrel of their gods. Photinus, now gasping for life, was thrown into prison, and within two days after died.
And here is the mighty providence of God declared. Those who in the first persecution denied CHRIST, were also put in prison, and made partakers of the others afflictions. - Neither did it any whit help them that had denied CHRIST; but they which confessed him were imprisoned as Christians, and the other sort as homicides and wicked doers. These were refreshed with the joy of martyrdom, the hope of God's promises, their love towards CHRIST, and the Spirit of God: the others, by their countenances, bewrayed unto all their guilty consciences. The Christians went forth having cheerful countenances, adorned with glory and grace, insomuch that the very bonds wherewith they were tied, set them out as men in seemly apparel; whereas the others were sad, abject, ill-favored, filled with shame, and reviled of the very Gentiles themselves, as degenerate wretches, having the crime of homicide, and destitute of the most precious, glorious, and lively calling. By these sights the rest were confirmed; and being apprehended, confessed CHRIST without any staggering. After these things the martyrdom of these holy saints was divided into divers kinds; as the offering to God the Father a garland, decked with divers kinds of flowers. And so it behooved the worthy champions of GOD, after they had suffered divers kinds of torments, to obtain the reward of immortality.
Then Maturus, Blandina, and Attalus were brought together to the scaffold-there, in the face of the people, to be devoured of the beasts. And Maturus, with Sanctus, being brought the second time to the scaffold, suffered again all kind of torments, as though hitherto they had suffered nothing. They, as striving for the crown, suffered again more scourgings, the tearing of wild beasts, and whatsoever the frantick people cried for. Above all, they brought an iron chair, in which their bodies being set, were.fried and scorched, as on a gridiron. And yet for all that the tormentors ceased not, but waxed more fierce and mad against them, laboring to overcome the-patience of the saints. Notwithstanding they could not get out of Sanctus any other thing but the confession, which at the beginning he declared. And thus these holy men, after they had long continued in this conflict, at length were slain; being made all that day a spectacle unto the world.
Blandina, being fastened upon a stake, was cast to the beasts to be devoured; which thing was not done without the determinate will of God; that while she seemed to hang, as it were upon a cross, by the ferventness of her prayer she might comfort the rest of the saints; as be holding CHRIST with their bodily eyes, which in that agony suffered for them all; and that all which believe in him, and suffer for the glory of CHRIST, might be assured to live with him for ever. When they saw that no beast would come near, her, they cast her again into prison, that she, having the victory of many battles, might triumph over the devil; and being a weak and silly woman, armed with CHRIST, the invincible conqueror, might encourage her brethren, and win a crown of incorruptible glory.
Attalus, being also called for of the people, cometh forth to the fight. When the table was carried before him, wherein was written, This is Attalus the Christian, the people were in a marvelous rage against him. But the governor, understanding that he was a Roman, commanded him again to prison; whereof he wrote to the emperor, and waited for an answer, what his pleasure herein was. The prisoners were not idle in the mean season, nor unprofitable to their brethren. For those which were dead before, were now revived by them that lived, and the church did much rejoice, receiving them again, whom she had lost before. For many of them, which before had denied, now were restored, and learned to be confessors. And being strengthened, and tasting the sweetness of him, who desireth not the death of a sinner, they came, of their own accord, to the judgment seat again, that they might be examined of the judge. He caused all the holy martyrs to be brought thither, that the multitude might behold them, and once again examined them; and as many of them as were Romans he beheaded, the residue he gave to the beasts to be devoured. And truly CHRIST was much glorified by those who a little before had denied him; and, contrary to the expectation of the infidels, confessed him even unto death. When they were examined, one Alexander, a Phrygian, who had dwelt long in France, and was known of all for the love he had to GOD, standing near the bar, by signs persuaded such as were examined to confess CHRIST; so that he was descried of the standers by. The people soon cried out against him. And when he was demanded what religion he was of He answered, I am a Christian. He had no sooner spoken the word, but he was adjudged to the beasts to be devoured.
The next day Attalus and Alexander were brought forth together. When they had suffered the greatest tortures they could put them to, they were at length slain; of whom Alexander never gave so much as a sigh; but, from the bottom of his heart, praised and prayed to the Lord. Attalus, when he was set in the iron chair, and began to fry, spoke to the multitude in the Roman language, thus Behold, you eat man's flesh; but we neither eat men, nor commit any other wickedness. And being demanded, what was the name of their God Our God (says he,) has no such name as men have. Then said they, Now let us see whether your God can help you, and take you out of our hands.
This being the last day of the spectacle, Blandina again, and one Ponticus, a child of fifteen years old, were brought forth. And this had been done every day, to the intent that they, seeing the punishment of their fellows, might be compelled to swear by the idols. But because they constantly abode in their purpose, the whole multitude was in a rage, neither sparing the age of the child, nor the sex of the woman, but put them to all the torment they could devise, and yet were not able to prevail; For Ponticus, being so animated by his sister, after he had suffered all torments, gave up the ghost. Blandina, being the last that suffered, after she had; like a worthy mother, given exhortations unto her children, and had sent them before, as conquerors, to their heavenly King, rejoiced so much at her children's death, and so hastened her own, as though she had been bidden to a bridal.
After her whipping, her delivery to the beasts, and her torments upon the gridiron, at length she was put in a net, and thrown to the wild bull; and when she had been sufficiently gored with his horns, was thus slain; insomuch that the very heathens themselves confessed, there never was woman put to death of them that suffered so much. Neither yet was their furious cruelty asswaged; but those whom they murdered, they threw to the dogs, setting keepers day and night to watch them, that they should not he buried; and bringing forth the remnant of their bones and bodies, some half burned, some left of the wild beasts, and some all mangled; also bringing forth the heads of others which were cut off, they in like manner committed them to the charge of the keepers, to see them remain unburied.
Thus the bodies of the martyrs lay six days in the open streets: at length they burned them, and threw their ashes into the river Rhone, that there might appear no remnant of them upon the earth. And this did they, as though they had been able to hinder the regeneration of the saints, and take from them the hope of the resurrection; a whereof they being persuaded, (said they,) bring in this new and strange religion, and set thus light by death and punishment."
Soon after the persecution was stayed: some think on occasion of a wonderful miracle; the story whereof is this. At what time the two brethren, Marcus Antoninus and Marcus Aurelius Commodus, emperors, joining together, warred against the Quades, Vandales, Sarmates,, and Germans. In the expedition against them, their army was shut in within the Straits and hot dry places, where their soldiers, besides other difficulties, being destitute of water five days, were like to perish. In this great distress, a legion of Christian soldiers suddenly withdrew from the army, and falling prostrate upon the earth, by ardent prayer obtained of God a double relief. God gave pleasant showers, whereby their soldiers quenched their thirst; and a great number of their enemies were discomfited, and put to flight by continual lightnings. This miracle so pleased the emperor, that ever after he was gentle to the Christians, and directed his letters to his rulers, (as Tertullian in his Apology witnesseth,) commanding them to give thanks to the Christians, no less for his victory than for the preservation of him and all his men.
Severus raised the fifth persecution against the Christians; who, through false and malicious accusations, was so incensed against them, that by proclamations he commanded no Christians any more to be suffered. Hereby great persecution was stirred up on every side, and an infinite number of martyrs slain, about the year of our Lord 205. The crimes objected against the Christians are partly touched before; as sedition, and rebellion against the emperor, sacrilege, murdering of infants, incestuous pollution, eating raw flesh, libidinous commixture, worshipping the head of an ass; but especially because they would not worship the idolatrous gods, they were counted as enemies to all men.
The places where this persecution most raged, were Africa, Alexandria, and Cappadocia. The number of them that suffered was innumerable. Of whom the first was Leonides, the father of Origen, who was beheaded with whom Origen his son, being then seventeen years old, should have suffered, (such a fervent desire he had to be martyred,) had not his mother privily in the night conveyed away his clothes. Whereupon, more for shame to be seen, than for fear to die, he was constrained to remain at home: and when he could do nothing else, he wrote to his father a letter with these words, Take heed to yourself, that you turn not your thought and purpose for our sake, &c. Such a fervency had this Origen, being yet young, to the doctrine of CHRIST's faith, that his father divers times would uncover his breast, being asleep, and kiss it, giving thanks to GOD, which had made him the father of such a happy child. After the death of his father, all his goods being confiscated, he, with his poor mother, and six brethren, were brought to such extreme poverty, that he sustained both himself and them by teaching a school; till at length he transferred his study only to the knowledge of the Scriptures, and other learning conducible to the same. He profited so much in the Hebrew and other tongues, that he conferred the Hebrew text with the translation of the Seventy; and moreover did confer the other translations, which we call the translation of Aquila, of Symmachus, and Theodotion. Also he adjoined four other translations.
Origen was of a quick and sharp wit; patient of labor; a great traveler in the tongues; of a spare diet; of a strict life; a great faster. His teaching and his living were both one; his going was much barefoot; a.strict observer of that saying of the Lord, Have but one coat, &c. The copies of his books he used to sell for his living. He was so zealous in the cause of CHRIST, that he, nothing fearing his own peril, would assist and exhort the martyrs going to their death, and kiss them; insomuch that he was oft in jeopardy to be stoned of the multitude; and many times he was compelled to shift houses for such as laid wait for him in all places. But great was the providence of God to preserve him in the midst of all this tempest of Severus. Among others which resorted unto him, and were his hearers, Plutarch was one, who died a martyr; and with him Serenus, his brother, who was burned.
The third was Heraclides, the fourth, Heron, who were both beheaded. The fifth was another Serenus, beheaded also. Rhais, and Potamiena, tormented with pitch poured upon her, with her mother, Marcella, died in the fire. This Potamiena was of a fresh and flourishing beauty; who because she could not be removed from her profession, `vas committed to Basilides, one of the captains there in the army, to see the execution done. I Basilides receiving her at the judge's hand, and leading her to the place, showed her some compassion in repressing the railings of the adversaries: for which Potamiena, to requite his kindness, bade him be of good comfort; saying, That she would pray the Lord to show mercy upon him; and so went to her martyrdom.
Not long after, Basilides was required to give an oath in a matter concerning his fellow-soldiers, which he denied to do; plainly affirming, that he was,a Christian, for their oath was wont to be by the idols and the emperor. When he constantly confirmed the same, he was had before the judge, and so by him committed to ward. The Christians, marvelling thereat, inquired of him the cause of that his sudden conversion. To whom he answered, That Potamiena had prayed for him to the Lord adding, moreover, It should not be long but he should be received.
About the same time died Irenaeus, martyred, with a great multitude of others, about the fourth or fifth year of Severus. This Irenaeus, as he was a great writer, so was he greatly commended of Tertullian for his learning. He was first a scholar of Polycarp; from thence came to France, and there by Photinus, and the rest of the martyrs, was instituted into the ministry. At length, after the martyrdom of Photinus, he was appointed bishop of Lyons, where he continued about three and twenty years. In the time of Irena-us, the church was much troubled, not only by outward persecution, but also by divers sects and errors, against which he diligently labored. He ever loved peace, and sought to make agreement when any controversy rose in the church. And therefore, when the question of keeping Faster-day was renewed between Victor, bishop of Rome, and the churches of Asia, and when Victor would have excommunicated them as schismaticks, for disagreeing from him therein,-IrenDeus, with other brethren of the French church, convened themselves together in a common council, and directing their letter, subscribed with their common consent, sent it unto Victor, entreating him to stay his purpose. And afterwards, he wrote divers other letters concerning the same contention; declaring the excommunication of Victor to be of no force.
After the death of Alexander the emperor, who, with his - mother, Mammea, was murdered in Germany, followed Maximinus, chosen by the will of the soldiers, rather than by the authority of the senate, about the year of our Lord' 237; who raised the sixth persecution against the Christians; especially against the teachers and, leaders of the church; thinking thereby the sooner to vanquish the rest, if the captains of them were removed. In the time of this persecution, Origen wrote his book De Martyrio; which book, if it were extant, would give us some knowledge of such as suffered in this persecution, who now he in silence unknown; and no doubt but they were a great number; and more should have been, had not the provident mercy of God shortened his days, for he reigned but. three years. After him succeeded Gordian, in the year of our Lord 240; a man no less studious for the good of the commonwealth, than mild and gentle to the Christians.
Decius invaded the crown about the year of oiir Lord 250; by whom was moved a seventh, and that a terrible persecution, against the Christians. Origen continued about the space of fifty-two years; unto the time of this Decius. He sustained divers and great persecutions for the doctrine of CHRIST; as bands, and torments in his body, and rackings with bars of iron. All this he suffered unmoved; but after sundry torments, at length he was brought to an altar where a woman was appointed to be, and there this choice was offered unto him,. Whether he would sacrifice to the idols, or have his body polluted. Then the judge, putting incense in his hand, caused, him to set it to the fire upon the altar; for which he was excommunicated. Whereupon,, being driven away with shame and sorrow out of Alexandria, he went into Judea, where, being in Jerusalem among the congregation, and there requested of the priests and ministers to make some exhortation in the church, he refused a great while so to do. At length, being constrained by importunate petition, he rose up, and turning the book as though he would have expounded some place of the
Scripture, he only read this verse of the 50th Psalm, "But God said to the sinner, why dost you preach my law, and take my covenant in thy mouth" &c. Which verse being read, he shut the book, and sat down weeping and availing; the whole congregation also weeping and lamenting with him. He died and was buried at Tyre, under the emperor Gallus, about the year of our Lord 255, and the 70th year of his age, in great misery and poverty.
This persecution" (says Dionysius of Alexandria) "began, not with the proclamation set forth by the emperor, but a whole year before, by the means of a soothsayer. He, coming to our city, stirred up the multitude of the heathen, and incited them to maintain their old superstition; declaring all piety and religion to consist only in the idolatrous worship of devils, and in our destruction. At first, flying upon a certain priest of ours, named Metra, they apprehended him, and brought him forth to make him speak after their wicked blasphemy; which, when he would not do, they laid upon him with staves and clubs, and with sharp reeds pricked his face and eyes; and afterwards, bringing him out into the suburbs, they stoned him to death.
Then they took a faithful woman, called Quinta, and brought her to the temple of their idols, to compel her to worship; which when she refused to do, they bound her feet, and drew her through the whole street of the city upon the stones; and then, scourging her, brought her to the same place of the suburbs, as they did the other before, where she likewise ended her life. This done, with a multitude running together, they burst into the houses of the Christians, spoiling, sacking, and carrying away all they could find of any price. Such things as were of less value they brought into the open market, and set them on fire. In the mean time, the brethren withdrew themselves, taking joyfully the spoiling of their goods: neither do I know any of them, who, revolting from his profession, denied the Lord, to this present day.
Amongst the rest that were taken, there was a certain virgin, well "stricken in years, named Apollonia, whom they brought forth, and dashing all her teeth out of her jaws, made a great fire before the city, threatening to cast her into the same, unless she would blaspheme with them, and deny CHRIST: whereat she staying a little, as one that would take a pause, suddenly leaped into the midst of the fire, and was burned.
There was also one Scrapion, whom they took in his own house; and after they had assailed him with sundry kinds of torments, and had broken almost all the joints of his body, they cast him down from an upper loft, and so completed his martyrdom.- Thus was there no way, neither private nor public, left for us, neither by day nor by night, to escape; all the people making an outcry against us, that unless we uttered blasphemy, we should be burned. And this outrageous tumult endured until the miserable wretches fell at dissension among themselves, which turned the cruelty they exercised against us, upon their own heads. And so we had a little breathing time,. while the fury of the heathens assuaged..
Shortly after followed the edict of the emperor. Upon which such fear came over us all, that many there were, especially of the richer sort, of whom some for fear came running, some were drawn by their neighbors, to those idolatrous sacrifices. Some again came boldly to, the altars, declaring themselves never to have been of that profession. Of the residue, some continued constant to bonds and torments. Others, after long imprisonments, renounced their faith. Some, when they had suffered torments, afterwards revolted. But others, being valiant pillars of the Lord, were made faithful martyrs of the kingdom of God.
Of whom the first was Julianus, a man diseased with the gout, and not able to go, being carried by two men, of whom the one quickly denied the faith. But Cronion, surnamed Eunus, with Julianus, confessing the Lord, were laid upon camels, and there scourged, and at length cast into the fire and consumed.
As these were going to their martyrdom, there was a certain soldier who took part against those that railed upon them. For which the people crying out against him, he also was apprehended, and being constant in his profession, was forthwith beheaded.
Likewise one Macar, being admonished of the judge to deny his faith, and not agreeing to his persuasions, was burned alive. " After these suffered Epimachus, and one Alexander, who, being long detained in prison, after innumerable pains and torments with razors and scourges, were cast into the fire, with four women.
Also Ammonarion, an holy virgin, whom the judge had long and bitterly tormented, suffered martyrdom with two other women; one of whom was an aged matron, named Mercuria; the other was called Dionysia, being a mother'of many fair children, whom yet notwithstanding she loved not above the Lord. These, after they could not be overcome by any torments, at length were slain with the sword.
Heron, Ater, and Isidorus, and with them Dioscorus, a child of fifteen years old, were crowned with the same crown of martyrdom. And first the judge began with the child, thinking him more easy to be won with words to entice him, than with torments to constrain him. But -he persisted immovable, giving neither place to persuasions nor punishment. The rest, after he had grievously tormented them, being constant in their profession, he committed to the fire. The judge, greatly marvelling at Dioscorus for his wise answers and grave constancy, dismissed him, sparing, as he said, his age *o a longer respite: which, Dioscorus is with us at present, waiting for a longer trial.
Nemesion was first accused for a companion of thieves; but being purged thereof before the centurion, he was then accused of Christianity; and for that cause, being in bonds, was brought to the president; who, tormenting and scourging him double to all other thieves and felons, at length, among the thieves, burned him to death, making him a blessed martyr.
Ischirion, one that was in service with a certain nobleman, was commanded by his master to sacrifice; who, for not obeying, was rebuked; and after persisting in the same, grievously threatened with sharp words. At last his master, when he could not prevail against him, taking a pike, ran him through the body, and slew him.
“What shall I speak of the multitude of them, who, wandering in deserts and mountains, were consumed with hunger, thirst, cold, sickness, thieves, or wild beasts; of whose blessed victory they which be alive are yet witnesses In the number of whom was Cheremon, bishop of the city called Nilus, an aged man. He, with his wife, fleeing to the mountains of Arabia, never returned, nor ever could be seen after. And though they were diligently sought for by their brethren, yet neither they nor their bodies were found. Many others there were, who, fleeing to these mountains of Arabia, were taken of the barbarous Arabians; of whom, some with. much money could scarce be ransomed; and some were never heard of to this present day."
“Dionysius, in another place writes thus. " Before this persecution of Decius did rage against us, Sabinus sent a farmer to seek me, at what time I, remaining at home, waited three days for his coming. But lie, searching narrowly for me by all ways, fields, woods, and corners, where he thought I might have hid myself, or have passed by, never came to my house, thinking nothing less, than that I would abide at home in so dangerous a persecution. These three;,days being past, upon the fourth day, the Lord God so willing and commanding me to flee, and also marvelously opening to me the way, I with my children, and many other brethren, went out together."
St. Jerome recites a story of a certain soldier, whom, when the pretor could not with torments remove from his Christianity, he devised another way. He commanded Te soldier to be laid upon a soft bed in a pleasant garden, among flourishing lilies and roses; which done, all others being removed away, a beautiful harlot came to him, who embraced him, and used all other incitements to provoke him to sin. But the soldier, fearing GOD, bit off his own.tongue, and spit it in the face of the harlot, as she was kissing him, and so got the victory.
Mean time, some for dread, some of their own accord, others after great torments, revolted from their profession_ Saint Cyprian, with great sorrow, testifieth that a great number., at the -first threatening of the adversary, neither being compelled, nor thrown down with any violence of the enemy, but of their voluntary weakness, fell down themselves. Neither, says he, tarrying, while the judge should put incense into their hands, but before any stroke.stricken in the field, turned their backs; not only coming to their sacrifices, but preventing the same, and pretending to come without compulsion; bringing moreover their infants and children, either put into their hands, or taking them with them of their own accord, and exhorting others to do the like after their example.
Amongst others of this sort, St. Cyprian also maketh mention of one Euaristus, a bishop in Africa, who, leaving his charge, and making shipwreck of his faith, went wandering about in other countries. But although.some did relent, yet a very great number there was, whom neither fear could remove, nor pain could overthrow, to cause them to betray their confession, but they.stood like glorious martyrs unto the end.
Gallus succeeded Decius about the year of our Lord 255.
This Gallus, although the beginning of his reign was quiet, yet shortly after set forth edicts for the persecution of Christians. Unto this time I refer the banishment of Cyprian, who was then bishop of Carthage; of the which banishment he himself testifieth in divers of his epistles.
After the reign of Gallus, and his son Volusianus, who reigned but two years, Emilianus, who slew them, succeeded in their place, and reigned but three months, and was also slain. Next to him Valerian and his son Galienus, were advanced to the empire.
The persecution which began under Decius, and slacked in the time of Gallus, was now extinguished for a time; partly for a great plague reigning in all places; partly by the change of the emperors.
Valerian moved the eighth persecution against the Christians, about the year of our Lord 259. Concerning which St. Cyprian says, cc We must confess, that this calamity riseth chiefly of our own wickedness, while we walk not in the way of the Lord. The Lord observed the will of his Father in all points; but we observe not the will of the Lord. All our mind and study is set upon lucre and possession. We are given to pride, full of emulation and dissension, void of simplicity and faithful dealing, renouncing this world in word only, but not in deed; every man pleasing himself, and displeasing others. And therefore are we thus scourged, and that worthily. For what stripes and scourges do we not deserve, when the confessors themselves, such as ought to be an example to the rest, keep no discipline We suffer these things for our sins, as we have been forewarned by the Lord, saying, I If they shall forsake my law, and will not walk in my judgments; I will visit their iniquities with the rod, and their transgressions with scourges.' These rods and scourges we feel; who neither please God in our good deeds, nor repent of our evil deefls.'.'
Cyprian, being an African, and born in Carthage, was first an idolater and Gentile, altogether given to the study and practice of the magical arts. His conversion unto the Christian faith was through the means of Cecilius, a priest, whose name afterwards he bare; and through the occasion of hearing the history of the prophet Jonas. Immediately upon his conversion he distributed all his substance among the poor. And after that being ordained a priest, was not long after constituted a bishop of the congregation of Carthage.
He was courteous and gentle, loving and full of patience, and yet sharp and severe, according as the cause required. Furthermore, he was most loving and kind toward his brethren, and took much pains in helping and relieving the martyrs.
He was full of godly courage in executing his office. Neither was he void of prudence and circumspection; but was adorned with marvelous modesty, whereby he attempted nothing upon his own judgment, but with the consent of his fellow bishops and other inferior ministers. He was of a wonderful liberal disposition towards the poor brethren of other countries. For so often as he had cause of absence, he committed the care of those poor men to his fellow officers, and wrote to them, that of their own goods, they should help their banished brethren to that which was necessary for them.
He took no less care, as well of his own church, as of other bishops, being absent, than he did being present. He returned out of exile in the reign of Valerian, but he was a second time banished by Paternus, the proconsul of Africa, into the city of Thurbin. When Paternus was dead, Galienus Maximus succeeded, who, finding Cyprian in a garden, caused him to be apprehended, and to be brought before the idols to offer sacrifice. Which when he would not do, the' proconsul, breaking forth into these words, said, 11 Long have you lived in a sacrilegious mind, and have gathered together men of a wicked conspiracy, and have spewed thyself an enemy to the gods of the Romans, and to their holy laws: neither could the sacred emperors Valerian and Galienus revoke thee to.their ceremonies." At length, being condemned to have his head cut off, he patiently and willingly submitted to the stroke, in the year of our Lord 259.
About this tine suffered also Sixtus, bishop of Rome, who, being accused of his. adversaries to be a Christian, was brought with his six deacons to the place of execution; where he with his deacons suffered martyrdonn. Laurence, being also a deacon, followed after: and when he saw his vigilant shepherd led, as an harmless lamb, to his death, he cried out, " O dear father, whither goest you without the company of thy son Whither hastenest You, O reverend priest, without thy deacon Never wast you wont to offer sacrifice without thy minister. Sixtus answered, " I forsake thee not, O my son; a sharper conflict remaineth for thee. O, 1 am a weak old man, and therefore I run the race of a lighter and easier death: but you art lusty and young, and shall more gloriously triumph over this tyrant. Cease to weep; three days hence you shall follow me."
The tyrant, understanding that St. Laurence was not only a minister of the sacraments, but also a distributer of the church's riches, promised to himself a double prey; and demanded where Laurence had bestowed the substance of the church Who, craving three days respite, promised to declare where the treasure might be had. In the mean time, he had caused a good number of poor Christians to be congregated. So when the day of his answer was come, the persecutor strictly charged him to stand to his promise. Then Laurence, stretching out his arms over the poor, said, " These are the precious treasures of the church. These are the treasures indeed, in whom the faith of CHRIST reigneth." On this the judge commanded a large grated bed of iron to be brought, and laid upon the fire. After many tortures the martyr was laid thereon, and roasted to death, praising God to the last.
Dionysius, making mention of them which `were afflicted in this persecution, says, " It were superfluous to recite the names of our brethren slain in this persecution. There were men, women, young men, maidens, old wives, soldiers, and of all sorts and ages of men.
Of whom some with scourgings and fire, sonic with sword obtained victory, and got the crown. Some continued a great time, and yet have been preserved. In which number am I reserved hitherto, to some other time, known unto the Lord. Faustinus and Aquila wander abroad in Egypt. Of the deacons, besides them, whom sickness has consumed, Faustus, Eusebius, and Cheremon are yet alive. Eusebius God has raised and stirred up to minister to the confessors lying in bonds, and to bury the bodies of the blessed martyrs, not without great peril. Neither does the president cease to this day, cruelly murdering such as are brought before him, tearing some with torments, imprisoning others, and commanding that no man should come to them; yet notwithstanding God does comfort the afflicted."
Dionysius himself, surviving all these troubles and persecutions, by the providence of GOD, continued after the death of Valerian, unto the tweifLii year of the reign of Galienus, which was about the year of our Lord 26S; and so departed in peace in great age. From the time of Valerian, the church of CHRIST was in quietness until the death of Quintilian. After whom Aurelian possessed the crown. His beginning was not unfruitful to the commonwealth; neither was he any great disturber of the Christians, whom he did not only tolerate in their religion, but also their councils; and they being at the same time assembled at Antioch, he seemed not to be against them. Notwithstanding, in continuance of time, through the instigation of certain about him, his nature, inclinable to severity, was altered to a plain tyranny; which tyranny he showed first with
The death of his own sister's son. After that he proceeded to move persecution against the Christians: and this was the ninth persecution. But not long after, in the fifth or sixth year of his reign, And in the year of our Lord 278, he was slain.
After this the church was in quiet and tranquility, until the nineteenth year of Dioclesian: so that, counting the time from the latter end of Valerian, the peace of the church continued above forty-four years. But as the nature of all men commonly seeketh prosperity, and yet can never well use it; so here it happened with these men; who, through this liberty and prosperity, began to degenerate into idleness and delicacy, and one to work spite against another; contending amongst themselves on every occasion; bishops moving hatred and sedition against bishops, and people against people; besides cursed hypocrisy and’ dissimulation increasing more and more. By reason whereof the judgment of God began, by little and little, to visit; falling first upon the brethren which were abroad in war. But that, t.IV rhi rl. uPJ. the,thi, u TrcI- -drb’'rrey str'x to appease God's wrath, but heaped iniquities more and more one upon another. And they which were pastors, refusing the rule of piety, were inflamed with mutual contentions. And thus, whilst they were given only to threatenings, emulations, mutual hatred, and discord, every man seeking his own ambition, and persecuting another, the Lord took away the beauty of the daughter of Sion, and the glory of Israel fell from heaven; neither did He remember the footstool, of his feet in the day of his wrath.
By reason hereof (the wrath of God being kindled) ensued the tenth persecution against the Christians. This was so grievous, that never was any persecution before comparable to it, as lasting the space of ten years together. This persecution, although it passed through the hands of divers tyrants, yet it principally beareth the name of Dioclesian. It began about the nineteenth year of his reign; who, in the month of March, when the feast of Easter was nigh at end, commanded all the churches of the Christians to be spoiled and cast to the earth, and the books of Holy Scripture to be burned.
Next, edicts were given forth for the displacing of such as were magistrates, and that with great ignominy, imprisoning such as were of the common sort, if they would not abjure Christianity. Not long after, new edicts were sent forth, for casting the elders and bishops into prison, and constraining them, with sundry kinds of punishments, to offer unto their idols. By reason whereof ensued a great persecution against the governors of the church; among whom many stood manfully, passing through bitter torments, neither were overcome therewith, being tormented and examined divers of them diversly. Some were scourged, all over their bodies, with whips and scourges; some tortured with racks; some one way and some another put to death. Some again were violently drawn to the sacrifice, and, as though they had sacrificed, when indeed they had not, were let go. Some they cast down upon the pavement, and trailing them a great space by the legs, made the people believe that they had sacrificed. Others there were, which stoutly withstood them, affirming with a loud voice, that they had done no sacrifice. Of whom some said they were Christians, and gloried in the name. Some cried, that neither they had nor would ever be partakers of that idolatry; and those, being buffeted by the soldiers, were made to hold their peace, and so thrust out with violence. All this did nothing prevail against the holy and constant servants of CHRIST.
Notwithstanding, of the weak sort, innumerable there were, who for fear and infirmity, fell. After this, the rage of the emperors being let loose, proceeded more and more, making havock of God's people throughout all the world. Dioclesian (who had purposed with himself to subvert the whole Christian religion) executed his tyranny in the cast, and 1Vlaxirnian in the west. But Dioclesian began subtilly; for he put the matter first in practice in his own camp; among whom the marshal of the field put the Christian soldiers to this choice, whether they would obey the emperor's commandment by sacrificing, and so keep their offices; or else lay down their armour and weapons. Whereunto the Christian men answered, " That they were not only ready to lay down their armor and weapons, but also to suffer death, rather than they would obey the wicked commands of the emperor."
It can hardly be expressed what blood was shed throughout all cities and regions, for the name of CHRIST. Eusebius says, that he himself knew the worthy martyrs that were in Palestine. But in the certain Christians, being given to the wild beasts, were preserved without hurt, to the great admiration of the beholders, and those lions, bears, and leopards (kept hungry for that purpose) had no desire to devour them; which notwithstanding raged most vehemently against those by whom they were brought to the stage; who standing, as they thought, without danger of them, were devoured. The Christian martyrs, because they could not be hurt by the beasts, being slain with the sword, were afterward thrown into the sea. At that time was martyred the bishop of Sidon. Sylvanus, the bishop of Gaza, with thirty-nine others, were slain in the metal-mines of Phenicia. And Pamphilus, the elder of Cesarea, being the glory of that congregation, died a most worthy martyr.
In the beginning, when the emperor by his subtlety rather dallied than showed his rigour, he threatened them with bonds and imprisonment; but within a while, when he began in good earnest, he devised innumerable sorts of torments; as whipping, And scourgings, rackings, horrible scrapings, sword, fire, and ship-boats, wherein a great number being put, were sunk in the bottom of the sea. Also hanging them upon crosses; binding their to the bodies of dead trees, with their heads downward; hanging them by the middles upon gallows, until they died for hunger; throwing them alive to wild beasts; pricking and goring them with bodkins and talons of beasts, until they were almost dead; lifting them up on high, with their heads downward, even as they did in Thebais to the women, who, being stripped naked, they tied on high by one foot, and so let them hang down with their bodies; with other inhuman sorts of punishmerits; such as the binding of there to trees; the tearing asunder of their members and joints, by tying them to the boughs and arms of trees; the mangling of them with axes; the choaking of them with smoke by small and soft fires; the dismembering of their hands, ears, and feet, with other joints. The holy martyrs of Alexandria suffered the scorching and broiling of their mcmhers with coals; not unto death, but every day renewed. With such kind of torments the martyrs at Antioch were afflicted. In Pontus they suffered other horrible punishments. Some had their fingers' ends, under the nails, thrust in with sharp bodkins. Some all besprinkled with boiling lead, had their most necessary members cut off. Others suffered intolerable torments and pains in their bowels and privy members.
How great the outrage of the persecution in Alexandria was, and with how many kinds of new devised punishments the martyrs were afflicted, Phileas, bishop of the Thurnitans, has described. " Every man (says he,) tormented the holy martyrs as he listed; some beat their with cudgels, some with rods, some with whips, some with thongs, and some with cords; and this example of beating was sundriwise executed, and with much cruelty. For some of them, having their hands bound behind their backs, were lifted up upon timber-logs, and with certain instruments their members and joints were stretched forth, whereupon their whole bodies hanging were subject to the will of the tormentors, who were commanded to afflict them with all manner of torments; and not on their sides only, but upon their bellies, thighs, and legs, they scratched them with the talons and claws of wild beasts.
Others were seen to hang by one hand upon the engine, whereby they might feel the. more grievous pulling out of the rest of their joints and members. Others were bound unto pillars with their faces turned to the wall, having no stay under their feet, and very violently weighed down with the poise of their bodies; that by reason of their strict binding, they being drawn out, might be more grievously tormented. And this they suffered, not only during the time of their examination, and while the sheriff had to du with them, but also the whole day long. And whilst the judge went thus from one to another, he appointed officers to attend upon those he left, that they might not be let down. Another torment our adversaries devised to augment their former plagues: after they had most lamentably beaten them, they invented a new kind of rack, wherein they lying upright were stretched by both the feet, with sharp shells strewed under them. Others were cast down upon the pavement, where they were oppressed so grievously with torments, that it is not to be thought what afflictions they suffered.
Thus they, lying in pains and torments, some died therewith; not a little confounding their enemies. Some half dead were thrust into prison, where, shortly after by pains and wounds, they ended their life. Some again, being cured of their wounds by their endurance in prison, were the more confirmed; who being put to the choice, whether they would come to their sacrifice, and enjoy their liberty, or else sustain the sentence of death, did willingly and without delay abide the extremity."
But, notwithstanding, the martyrs were neither dismayed nor overcome by their torments, but joyfully sustained whatsoever was put unto them. Eusebius says, that he himself beheld the huge persecution in Thebais, insomuch that the very swords of the hangmen being blunt with the slaughter, they themselves for weariness sat down to rest, and others were fain to take their places. And yet the murdered Christians showed their marvelous readiness and Divine fortitude; with joy receiving the sentence of death, and, even unto the last gasp, sung hymns and psalms to God.
It was not yet one year from the day in which.Dioclesian and Maximian, joining together, began their persecution, when they saw the number of Christians rather increase than diminish, notwithstanding- all the cruelty they could show. And now they were out of all hope of rooting them out: which was the cause of the first enterprize; and having their fill of blood, they ceased of their own accord to put any more Christians to death. But yet they thrust out the right eyes, and maimed the left legs of many, and afterwards condemned them to the mines. And this was the clemency of those princes, who said, that it was not meet that the cities should any longer be defiled with the blood of citizens, to make the emperors stained with the name of cruelty. Thus they showed princely beneficence to all men.
But, not long after, the persecution was renewed by Maxentius, till the citizens and senators of Rome, being much grieved and oppressed, sent their complaints with letters unto Constantine, desiring him to release their country and city. Who, understanding their miserable state, first sent letters to Maxentius, exhorting him to restrain his cruelty. But, when no letters availed, he gathered together his army in Britain and France, and entered Italy, the year 318. Maxentius, understanding of the coming of Constantine, durst not encounter him in the open field, but laid in wait for him by the way. With whom Constantine had divers skirmishes, and, by the power of the Lord, did ever put them to flight. One day, as he was drawing toward Rome, and casting up his eyes to heaven, in the south part, about the going down of the sun, he saw a great brightness in heaven, appearing in the similitude of a cross, with this inscription in Latin letters, in hoc vince, that is, in this overcome. Eusebius witnesses that he had heard Constantine himself' often report this, which he did see with his own eyes, and also his soldiers about him.
The next day Constantine caused a cross to be made of gold and precious stone, and to be borne before him instead of his standard; against whom Maxentius, being constrained to issue out of the city, sends all his power to join with him in the field beyond the river Tiber; where Maxentius, craftily breaking down the bridge, caused another deceitful bridge to be made of boats, being joined together, and covered over with boards and planks in manner of a bridge, thinking therewith to take Constantine as in a trap. After the hosts met, he, being not able to sustain the force of Constantine, was put to flight. Retiring back, he thought to get to the city; but upon the bridge laid for Constantine, was overturned by the fall of his horse into the bottom of the flood; and there, with the weight of his armour, he with a great part of his men, were drowned.
By this victory of Constantine, and by the death of Maxentius, no little tranquility came unto the church. And here is an end of the persecutions of the primitive church, during the space of 30O years, from the passion of our Savior CHRIST, till the coming of Constantine; under whom the church had rest after long trouble; and the malice of SATAN was at length restrained, through the great mercy of God in CHRIST: to whom, therefore, be thanks and praise, now and for ever. Amen!
But here ended the life and power of religion: Christians from this time growing more and more dissolute, and thereby making way for all the errors and corruptions of the Romish church. HAVING given a brief history of the ten first persecutions of Christianity, I proceed now to give some account of the beginning and progress of religion in our own country.
That our Christian faith was not first derived from Rome, I prove by several conjectural reasons. The first is the testimony of Gildas, our countryman: that Britain received the gospel in the time of Tiberius the emperor, under whom CHRIST suffered: that Joseph of Arimathea was sent by Philip the apostle from France to Britain, about the year of our Lord 63, and remained in this land all his time; and, with his fellows, laid the first foundation of the Christian faith among the Britons; which other teachers afterwards confirmed.
The second reason is out of Tertullian, who living before the time of pope Eleutherius, testifies, that the gospel was dispersed abroad by the sound of the apostles and reckoning up the Medes, Persians, Parthians, with many more, at length cometh to the borders of Spain, with divers nations of France; and, amongst others, recites also the parts of Britain, which the Romans could never attain; but which, says he, are now subject to CHRIST. If so, then pope Elcutherius was not the first who sent the Christian faith into this realm; but it was here received, before his time, either by Joseph of Ariinathea, or by some of the apostles, or their scholars.
My third is out of Origen, Hom. 4, in Ezekielenz; whose words are these, Britannianz in Christianam consentire religionenz. Britain consents to the Christian religion." Whereby it appears that the faith of CHRIST was in England before the days of Eleutherius.
For my fourth proof, I take the testimony of Beda that in his time, and almost 1,OOO years after CHRIST, Easter was kept in Britain, after the manner of the Eastern church, in the full of the moon, on what day in the week soever it fell; and not on the Sunday, as we do now. Whereby it is plain, that the first preachers in this land came from the East, where it was so used; and not from Rome, where they kept it on the Sunday.
I add, fifthly, the words of Petrus Cluniacensis, who, writing to Bernard, affirms, that the Scots, in his time, celebrated their Easter, not after the Roman manner, but after the Greek. And as the said Britons were not under the Romans in the time of this abbot of Cluniack; so neither were they, nor would be, under the Roman legate, in the time of Gregory; nor would admit any primacy of the bishop of Rome.
I grant the Christian faith was confirmed in this realm by Pagan and Damian, sent from Eleutherius. And it continued among them 216 years, till the coming of the Saxons, who then were Pagans. King Lucius, after he’.had founded many churches, and given great riches and liberties to the same, died with great tranquility in his own land, and was buried at Gloucester, the 14th year after his baptism. After him the commonwealth was miserably rent, and divided into two sorts of people; differing not so much in country as in religion. For when the Romans reigned, they were governed by infidels; when the Britons ruled, they were governed by Christians. What quietness could be in the church, in so unquiet and doubtful days, may easily be considered.
But, notwithstanding these heathen rulers, who governed this island, we read of no persecution that touched the Christian Britons, before the last persecution of Dioclesian and Maximine, who exercised much cruelty here. This was the first of many that followed in England; and those so fierce and vehement, that, as all our English chronicles record, Christianity was destroyed almost in the whole land; churches were subverted; the Scriptures burned; and many of the faithful, both men and women, slain.
As the realm of Britain, almost from the beginning, was never without civil war, at length came Vortigern, who, causing Constantius his prince to be murdered, ambitiously invaded the crown; and then, fearing Aurelius and Uter, the brethren of Constantius, sent over for the aid of the Saxons. Vortigern, not long after, was dispossessed of his kingdom by Hengist and the Saxons, and the people of Britain driven out of their country; after the Saxons had slain of their chief nobles and barons at one meeting (joining subtilty with cruelty,) to the number of 271.
This was the coming in of the Angles or Saxons into this realm, which was about the year of our Lord 469. After they were settled in England, they distributed the realm among themselves into seven parts. But the seven kingdoms continued not much above 20O years, before they were joined in one; coming all into the possession and subjection of the West Saxons, under king Egbert, about the year 795.
From the coming of the Saxons the gospel decayed more and more, till, in the year 598, Austin, being sent from pope Gregory, came into England. He and his companions landed on the Isle of Thanet, lying upon the east side of Kent. Near to which was then the palace of the king, which the inhabitants of the isle then called Richbourgh; whereof some part of the ruinous walls is yet to be seen. The king then reigning in Kent, was Ethelbert, who at that time had married a French woman, being CHRISTened, named Berda; whom he had received of her parents upon this condition, that he should permit her, with her bishop, to enjoy the freedom of her religion. By their means he was sooner induced to embrace the doctrine of CHRIST. Austin, being arrived, sent messengers to the king, signifying that he was come, bringing glad tidings of life and salvation to him and all his people, if he would willingly hearken to the same.
The king, within a few days, came to the place where Austin was; who then preached the word of God to him. The king answered, " The words that you preach are fair, nevertheless, I cannot soon start from my countrylaw. Yet, for that ye are come so far for my sake, ye shall not be molested by me, but shall be well intreated, having all things ministered to you necessary for your support. Besides this, we grant you free leave to preach to our people, and to convert whom ye may to the faith of your religion." Then they went to the city of Canterbury, where the king had given them a mansion for their abode: and there continued, preaching and baptizing such as they had converted, in the east-side of the city, in the old church of St. Martin, )where the queen used to resort,) unto the time that the king himself was converted to CHRIST, in the thirtysixth year of his reign. After the king was converted, innumerable others came in and were joined to the church of CHRIST; whom the king specially embraced, but compelled none; for he had learned, that the faith and service of CHRIST ought to be voluntary. Then he gave Austin a place for the bishop's see at CHRIST's church, and built the abbey of St. Peter and Paul, in the east-side of the city, where afterward Austin and all the kings of Kent were buried. And that place is now called St. Austin.
Afterwards Austin gathered together the bishops and doctors of Britain; and charged them that they should preach with him the word of God to the Englishmen; and also, that they should reform certain rites and usages in their church; especially of their keeping Easter, and baptizing after the manner of Rome. To this the Scots and Britons would not agree, refusing to leave the custom which they had so long continued. Then Austin gathered together another synod; to which came seven bishops of Britain, with the wisest men of that famous abbey of Bangor. But first they took counsel of a certain wise and holy man amongst them, whether they should be obedient to Austin or not And he said, " If he be the servant of GOD, agree unto him." "But how shall we know that," said they To whom he answered, " If he be meek and humble of heart, by that know, that he is the servant of God."
To this they said again, "And how shall we know him to be humble and meek of heart" " By this, (quoth he,) seeing you are the greater number; if he, at your coming into the synod, rise up, and courteously receive you, perceive him to be an humble and a meek man." The Britain bishops entering into the council, Austin, after the Romish manner, kept his chair, and would not move. Whereat they being offended, after some heat of words, in great displeasure departed. To whom then Austin said, " If they disdained to preach the way of life to the English nation, they should suffer the revenge of death by their enemies.' Which not long after came to pass, by means of Ethelfrid, king of Northumberland, who, being yet a pagan, came with a great army against the city of Chester. There was, at the same time, at Bangor, in Wales, an exceeding great monastery; all the monks whereof lived by the sweat of their brows. Out of this monastery came the monks of Chester, to pray for good success against the Saxons. The Britons being overcome, the king commanded his men to turn their weapons against the monks; of whom he slew 1,10O, only 50 persons of that number fled and escaped away: the rest were all slain.
About the 30th year of the reign of Egbert, the Danes, who a little before had made horrible destruction in Northumberland, where they had spoiled the churches, and murdered the ministers, with men, women, and children, after a cruel manner, entered the second time with a great host into this land, and spoiled the Isle of Sheppy, in Kent. Egbert hearing thereof, assembled his people there, and met them. But in that conflict he was compelled to forsake the field. Notwithstanding, in the next battle, he, with a small power, overthrew a great multitude of them, and Brave them back. But although they were many times driven out of the land; and chased from one country to another, they ever gathered new strength and powers, so that they could not wholly be expelled.
In the reign of king Ethelwolf, son to Egbert, the Danes returned: through the barbarous tyranny of whom much bloodshed and murder happened. At length, King Ethelwolf, warring against them, drave them to sea; where, they hovering a space, after a while, burst in again with horrible rage and cruelty. The cause of this great affliction, sent of God unto this realm, is thus expressed by an ancient author: " In the primitive church of the Englishmen, religion did clearly shine; insomuch that kings, queens, princes and dukes, barons and rulers of churches, inflamed with the desire of the kingdom of heaven, forsook all, and followed the Lord. But, in process of time, all virtue so much decayed among them, that, in fraud and treachery, none seemed like unto them neither was any thing odious or hateful to them, but piety and justice.
Neither was any thing in honor, but civil war, and shedding of innocent blood. Wherefore Almighty God sent upon them pagan and cruel nations, like swarms of bees, which neither spared women nor children. Who, from the beginning of the reign of King Ethelwolf, till the coming of the Normans; for the space of near 230 years, destroyed their sinful land, from the one side of the sea to the other, from man even to beast." To this we may add, the wickedness, not only of them, but of their fore-fathers; who, breaking the faith and promise made with the Britons, cruelly murdered their nobles, wickedly oppressed their commons, impiously persecuted the innocent Christians, injuriously possessed their land and habitation; chasing the inhabitants out of house and country: besides the murder of the monks of Bangor, and divers foul slaughters among the poor Britons, who sent for them to be their helpers. Wherefore God's just recompence falling upon them from that time, never suffered them to be quiet from foreign enemies, till the coming of William the Norman.
Alfred, son of Ethelwolf, in the beginning of his reign, perceiving his lords and people much wasted and decayed, by reason of the great wars against the Danes, as well as he could, gathered an army of men; and in the second month after he was made king, met the Danes beside Wilton, where he gave them battle. But being far over-matched, he was discomfited; although not without so great a slaughter of the pagan army, that the Danes agreed to depart out of his dominion; and accordingly removed from Reading to London, where they abode all that winter. In the fourth year of his reign they returned; yet, finding Alfred ready, they made peace with him for a season.
In the seventh year of Alfred, the Danes, having all the rule of the north part of England, from the river of Thames, disdained that Alfred should bear any dominion on the south side of the Thames. Whereupon, with all the strength they could make, they marched toward Chippenham in West-Sex, with such a multitude, that the king with his people was not able to resist them. Of the people, which inhabited there, some fled over the sea; divers submitted to the Danes. Alfred being overcome by the multitude of enemies, and forsaken of his people, withdrew himself, with a few of his nobles, into a certain wood in Somersetshire, called Selwood. In this wood, king Alfred, at his first coming, spied a cottage of a poor swineherd, named Dunwolf, by whom the king, then unknown, was entertained and cherished, with such fare as he and his wife could provide. King Alfred afterward set the poor swineherd to learning, and made him bishop of Winchester.
Notwithstanding, the king, in process of time, was strengthened, through the Providence of God. For the brother of King Halden, the Dane, coming in with 33 ships, landed in Devonshire; where he fell into an ambush of King Alfred's men, and was slain. After this, King Alfred chewed himself at large; so that the men of Wiltshire, Somersetshire, and Hampshire, daily resorted to him, till he was strongly reinforced. Then the king put himself upon this bold and dangerous adventure: apparelling himself in a mean habit, he entered into the tents of the Danes, lying then at Eddendun; where he saw all their sdoes and idleness, and heard much of their counsel; and returning unto his company, declared to them the whole manner of the Danes. Shortly after, he suddenly fell upon them in the night, and slew a great multitude of them. His subjects hearing of this, drew to him daily out of all coasts: who, through the help of GOD, held the Danes so short, that he won Winchester, and divers other good towns from them. At length, he forced them to seek for peace; which was concluded upon certain covenants. The principal was, that their king should be CHRISTened: the other, that such as would not be CHRISTened should depart the country.
After King Alfred had Christianly governed the realm 29 years and 6 months, he departed this life, in the year 901, and lyeth buried at Winchester. Of whom, moreover, I find this noted, that wheresoever he was, he carried in his bosom a little book, containing the Psalms of David, and certain prayers. In this book he continually read or prayed, whensoever he was at leisure.
Edgar, the great grand-son of Alfred, began to reign over all England, in the year 959. He was a pious and wise prince. Such as were wicked he kept under.; he repressed them that were rebels; he maintained the godly; he loved the modest; he was devout to GOD, and beloved of his subjects, whom he governed in much peace and quietness. And as he was a great seeker of peace, so God blessed him with abundance of peace and rest from all wars: so that he neither suffered any treason among his subjects, nor any invasion of foreign enemies. So studious was he of the public profit of his realm;. that no year passed in all the time of his reign, wherein he did not in some singular and necessary way profit the commonwealth. He was a great maintainer of religion and learning, not forgetting herein the footsteps of King Alfred his predecessor.
Among his other princely virtues, this is chiefly to be regarded: that whereas other princes, in much peace and quietness, are commonly wont to grow into a dissolute negligence of life, or oblivion of their charge committed to them; this king ever kept such a watch, and vigilant severity, joined with a seemly clemency, that he would suffer no man, of what degree of nobility soever he was, to elude his laws without condign punishment. Moreover, as the industry of this prince was forward in all other points, so it was manifested in his prudent provision, in driving out the wolves throughout the land. In this he used great policy; causing Ludwall, prince or king of Wales, to yield him yearly, by way of tribute, 30O wolves. By this means, within the space of four years after, scarce one wolf could be found alive in England and Wales.
In winter, during all the time of his life, his manner was, to ride over the land in progress, searching and inquiring diligently, how his laws and statutes were kept; that the poor might suffer no prejudice, or be oppressed any manner of ways by the mightier.