The auncient ecclesiasticall histories of the first six hundred yeares after Christ, wrytten in the Greeke tongue by three learned historiographers, Eusebius, Socrates, and Euagrius. Eusebius Pamphilus Bishop of Cæsarea in Palæstina vvrote 10 bookes. Socrates Scholasticus of Constantinople vvrote 7 bookes. Euagrius Scholasticus of Antioch vvrote 6 bookes. VVhereunto is annexed Dorotheus Bishop of Tyrus, of the liues of the prophetes, apostles and 70 disciples. All which authors are faithfully translated out of the Greeke tongue by Meredith Hanmer, Maister of Arte and student in diuinitie. Last of all herein is contayned a profitable chronographie collected by the sayd translator, the title whereof is to be seene in the ende of this volume, with a copious index of the principall matters throughout all the histories

THE FIFTE BOOKE OF THE EC∣CLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF EVSEBIVS PAMPHILVS BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN PALAESTINA. (Book 5)

The proëme.

Howe that Eleutherius succeded Soter in the seae of Rome. the difference betwene the ecclesiasticall and prophane history. he purposeth to write of martyrs.

SOter whē he had bene byshop of Rome eight yeares finished his mortall race, whome Eleutherius the twelfth from the Apostles succeded. And then was it the seuenteneth yeare of the raygne of Antoninus Ʋerus the Emperour. In which* 1.1 time sedition being raysed throughout the Cities, and vehement persecution in all partes of the world encreased against vs: we may easily coniecture, howe many mil∣llions of martyrs suffred throughout the worlde, by such as happened vnto one na∣tion, which for moste true and, euerlastinge memory, hathe bene thought wor∣thy the wrytinge, & is printed for the posteritie. And although we haue here∣heretofore compiled a booke of martyrs in moste ample wise, reciting the catalogue of them, and yet not onely the hystoricall narration, but also enterlacing matters of doctrine: neuerthelesse we minde not pre¦sently to omitt any thinge that may seeme pertinent vnto this our history which we haue nowe in hand. Other historiographers haue carefully considered, onely to commit to letters warlicke victories and no∣ble triumphes against the enemies, valiant enterprises of captaines, notable corage of armed soldiers, bespotted with bloud and innumerable slaughters of tender sucklings, committed for countrey and sub∣stance sake: But this our history containeth a pollicy gratefull vnto God, most peaceable warres for the quietnes of the soule, for the trueth of conscience rather thē triall for our country, for godly fauor, rather thē worldly frendshipp. It contayneth the valiant constancy of champions, buckling and wrastling for the trueth, the most victorious fortitude & triumphes agaynst firy fiendes of hell, the vpper hand of our vn∣uisible aduersaries, to be short it pronounceth for all these, crownes of euerlasting memory.

CAP. I.

Of the martyrdome of Sainctes, and cruell persecution in France, vnder Antoninus Verus the Emperour.

IT was the countrey of Fraunce, wherein the theatre of this wrastlinge (before mentioned) laye. whose chief cities and most frequented in respect of the rest in the same region are Lions and Vienna. Through bothe which Cities the riuer Rhodanus doth runne compassinge that whole countrey. The holy Churches there, sent this letter toutching their martyrs, vnto the Churches throughout Asia and Phrygia, making relation of their affaires after this manner.

The seruaunts of Christ inhabiting Ʋienna and Lions Cities of Fraunce, vnto* 2.1 the brethren throughout Asia, and Phrygia, obtayning with vs the same fayth and hope of redemption: peace and grace and glory from God the father, and Christ Iesus our Lorde be multiplied.

When they had premised certaine thinges by waye of preamble, they followe after in these wordes: The greatnes of this our tribulatiō, the furious rage of the Gentiles against the Saincts, and vvhat thinges the blessed martyrs haue suffred: vve are able exactly, neyther to expresse by vvorde, nor comprehende in vvryting. The aduersarie vvith all might possible, applied himselfe shevving tokens of his preparatiues & disposed entrance to persecution, & passing throughout

all places acquainted and instructed, his lymmes, to striue against the seruants of God: so that onely vve vvere not banished our hovvses, bathes, and common market places: but altogether, euery one of vs straightly charged not to shevve his face▪ yet the grace of God vvithstoode him, deliuering the vveakelinges, vphoulding certaine others of the contrary, as sure and im∣moueable pillers vvhich through their sufferance vvere able not onely to repell the violence of the despitefull aduersarie, but also to prouoke him, paciently abiding all kinde of sclaunder, and punishment. To be shorte vveyinge greate tormentes for smale trifles: they hastened vnto Christ, declaring as trueth is: that the passions of these presente times, are not vvorthie of the* 2.2 glorie, vvhich shalbe reuealed vnto vs. And first of all, they bare manfully all such vexations as the clustered multitude laied vpon them: exclamations, scurginges, draggings, spoyling, stoninge, fettring, and the like vvhatsoeuer the heady and sauadge multitude accustometh to practise against their professed enemies. next being ledd vnto the open market place, and ex∣amination had: they vvere comdempned in presence of the people by the Tribune, and the other chiefe potentates of the citie, and cast into prison, vntill the presidentes comminge. Af∣ter that, vvhen they vvere brought before the president vvhich had exercised all kinde of ex∣treame cruelty against vs: Vegetius Epagathus one of the brethren hauing fullnesse of loue to∣vvardes* 2.3 God, and man, vvhose conuersation vvas so perfecte, Although a yongeman, yet thought comparable vvith Zacharie the Prieste, for he vvalked vnblameable in all the com∣maundementes and ordinaunces of the Lorde, and very seruiceable tovvardes his neighbours, hauinge greate zeale and feruencie of the spirite of God: allovved not of the sentence vniuste∣ly pronounced agaynst vs, but vvith vehement motion required, that audience myghte be giuen him to pleade for the brethren, that vve had committed no impiety. vvhich beinge de∣nyed him (for he vvas a noble man) of such as compassed the tribunall seate, and of the pre∣sident reiecting this iuste petition, and onely demaundinge vvhether he vvas a Christian: con∣fessed it vvith a lovvde voice, and so he vvas receiued into the fellovvshipe of the Martyrs and called the aduocate of the Christians. for he hauinge the spirite vvhich is the comforter, in grea∣ter aboundance then Zacharie, declared the fullnesse of loue that vvas in him, in that he spa∣red not his life, in the defence of the brethren. he vvas and is the true disciple of Christe, follovvinge the lambe vvhither soeuer he goeth. the other foremartyres stirred vp by this example hasten them selues vnto Martyrdome, and are become liuelyer, and readyer, ac∣complishinge * 2.4 the confession of Martyrdome vvith all cherefullnesse of minde. there vvere certayne others founde vnready, lesse exercised, and as yet vveake, not of abylitie to beare the burthen of so vveightie a combate▪ (in numbre tenne): vvhich fell through the frailtye of the fleshe, to our greate heuinesse and sorovvefull lamentation, quaylinge the cherefullnes of others, vvhich vvere not as yet apprehended, but accompanied the Martyres, vvhat torments soeuer befell them, and seuered not them selues from them. Then trembled vve all for feare, and that greatlye because of the vncertainety of confessions: not terrified vvith any tor∣mentes, but carefull for the ende, least that any shrinked and fell from the faithe. daylye there vvere apprehended such as vvere vvorthye to fulfill the numbre of the fallen vveake∣linges: so that out of bothe these Churches as many as ruled and bare the greatest svvaye vvere taken, and executed, and vvithall certayne of the Ethnickes beinge our seruantes vvere taken, (for the president had commaunded publiquely, a generall inquisition to be made for vs) vvho being ouercome by the subtle sleyghtes of Satan, and terrified vvith the sighte of the tormentes vvhich the sainctes suffred, throughe the persvvasion of the soldiers eg∣ginge* 2.5 them forevvardes: fayned agaynste vs and reported: that vve vsed the feastinges of Thiestes and the incest of Oedipus, vvith diuerse other crimes vvhich may neyther godlye be∣thoughte vpon, neyther vvith modestie be vttered, neyther vvithout impietie be beleued. These thinges novve being bruted abroade, euery body vvas moued and incensed against vs, in so much that they vvhich for familiaritie sake vsed moderation before, novve vvere excea∣dingly moued and madd vvith vs. then vvas that saying of our Sauiour fulfilled, to vvete: the tyme vvill come, vvhen as euerye one that sleyeth you, shall thinke that therein he dothe * 2.6 God good seruice. then suffered the holy Martyres suche tormentes as tongue can not ex∣presse.* 2.7 And Satan prouoked them vvith all might possible, to vtter some blasphemy, greatly vvas the vvhole rage bothe of people, and presidente, and soldiers sett against Sanctus, Dea∣con of the Churche of Vienna: and agaynst Maturus, lately baptized, yet a noble vvarrier: and

against Attalus a Pergamenian, vvho vvas alvvayes a piller and fortresse of our fayth: * 2.8 and agaynst Blandina a vvoman, by vvhome Christ shevved that those thinges vvhiche in the sighte of men appeare vile, base, and contemptible, deserue greate glory vvith God, for the true loue they bare tovvardes him in deede, vvithout boasting in shevve. vvhen as vve all qua∣ked for feare, yea and her carnall mystres (vvhich also vvas one of the persecuted Martyres) ve∣ry carefull leaste that peraduenture at the tyme of her aunsvvere, by reason of the frailetye of the fleshe, she shoulde not perseuere constant: Blandina vvas so replenished vvith grace* 2.9 from aboue, that the executioners vvhich tormēted her by turnes, from morning to night, fayn∣ted for vverynesse, and ceassed confessing them selues ouercome: and that they vvere no longer able to plague her, vvith any more punishments: marueling, that as yet she drevve breath ha∣uing her vvhole body rent in peces, and the vvoundes open: they confessing vvithall, that one of these torments vvas of force sufficient, to costher her life, much the more, so many, and so great. but this blessed vvoman, like a noble vvrastler, vvas renevved at her confession, for as ofte as she pronounced: I am a Christian, nether haue vve committed anye euell: she vvas re∣created, refreshed, and felt no payne of her punishment. Sanctus also bare noblye, and va∣liantly, yea aboue the strengthe of man all suche vexations, as man coulde deuise. vvhen as the vvicked in compasse, by reason of his greate passion, and tormentes, hade vvell ho∣ped to haue harde some vndecent, and vncomelye speache, out of his mouthe: his con∣stancie vvas so greate, that he vttered neyther his ovvne name, neyther his kyndred, neyther the countrey vvhence he vvas, nor vvhether he vvere bonde or free, but vnto euery question he ansvvered in the Romayne tounge: I am a Christian. thus confessed he often in stede of all * 2.10 other thinges: of his name, and Citie, and kindred, neyther coulde the Gentyles gett a∣ny other language of him. VVherefore the president and the tormentors vvere fearcely sett against him. And vvhen as novve there remained no punishment vnpractised, at length they applied vnto the tenderest partes of his body, plates of brasse glovving hott, vvhich fryed, seared, and scorched his body, yet he Remayned vnmoueable, nothinge amazed, and con∣stante in his confession, being strengthened and moystened vvith the devve vvhich fell from the celestiall fountayne of the vvater of life, gushinge out of the vvombe of Christ. his body* 2.11 bare vvittnesse of the burning▪ for ouer all his body his fleshe vvas vvounded, his membres be∣scarred, his sinevves shrinked, so that the naturall shape and outvvarde hevve vvas quite chan∣ged, in vvhome Christ suffering, obtained inspeakeable glory, conqueringe Satan and lea∣uinge an example for the instruction of others: that no tormente is terrible vvhere the father is beloued, no lamentation lothsome vvhere Christ is gloryfied. vvhen as the vvicked tormentors a fevve dayes after, had brought him to the place of tormente, and vvell hoped, that if they punished him novve (hauing his vvhole body pufte vp vvith svvelling and festred vvoundes, so sore, that it might not be toutched, no not vvith the leaste finger) they shoulde ouercome him, and preuaile: or if that he died in tormente, they shoulde terrifie the reast, and so vvarne them to take heede: none of all these hapened vnto him, but beyonde all mans expectation, in the later tormentes his body vvas released of the payne, recouered the former∣shape, and the membres vvere restored to their former vse, so that the seconde plague through the grace of Christ, vvas no greuous malady, but a present medicine. Againe Sa∣tan goinge about blasphemously to sclaunder vs, procured Biblis a vvoman (one of * 2.12 them vvhich had faynted before) to be brought forthe, supposing her fraile and fearefull mind, novve to be quite altered from the Christian oppinion, and consequently through her blas∣phemous deniall, to be in daunger of dampnation: she then at the very houre of torment, re∣turned vnto her selfe, and vvakinge as it vvere out of a dead slepe, by meanes of these pu∣nishmentes temperall, considered of the paines eternall in hell fyre: and vnlooked for, cryed out vnto the tormentors and sayde: hovve coulde they deuore infantes, vvhich vvere not suf∣fred to sucke the blood of brute beastes. For that she confessed her selfe a Christian, she vvas appointed to take her chaunce amonge the Martyrs. vvhen that these tyrannicall tormentes vvere taken avvay of Christ, through the pacience of the blessed saynctes: the deuell inuented other mischiefs, to vvete: the imprisoning of the saynctes in depe and darke dongeons, fettring of them in the stocks, stretching their feete vnto the fift bored chinke, vvith other punishments vvhich furious ministers full of deuelis he rage, are vvonte to putt in vre, & practise, vpon poore prisoners. so that many vvere stisled & strangled in pryson, vvhome the Lord vvould haue so to

end this life, and to shevve his glory. The sainctes being thus sore vvounded vvhich seemed not* 2.13 possibly to liue, (if all mans helpe and medicine vvere applied, thereunto,) remayned shutt vp in close prison, destitute of all mans ayde, onely comforted of the Lorde, and confirmed in body and minde, so that they stirred vp and cherished the rest. the yonger sort that vvere nevv∣ly apprehended, vvhose bodies had not before tasted of the lashe of the vvhippe, lothed the closenesse of the pryson, and vvere choked vp vvith stinche. blessed Pothinus to vvhome the* 2.14 charge of the by shopes seae of Lyons vvas committed being aboue foure score and tenne yeare olde, vveake of body, scarce able to dravve breath: because of the imbecilitie of nature, cre∣ping on apace and being strengthened vvith cherefulnesse of the spirite, for the conceaued ioye of martyrdome vvhich he desired: vvas brought forthe before the tribunall seate, faynt in bo∣dy, for that he vvas olde and sickly, his lyfe being for this ende reserued, that Christ by the mea∣nes of it might triumphe. he vvas caried of the souldiers & layed before the tribunall seate, ac∣companied vvith the potentates of the cytie, and the vvhole multitude, diuersly shoutinge, as if he had bene Christ, he hathe geuen a good testimony: and beinge demaunded of the presi∣dent vvho is the God of the Christians, ansvvered: if thou become vvorthie, thou shalte vnder∣stande. after this ansvvere he vvas cruelly handled, and suffred many stripes, for such as vvere nerest vnto him pricked at him vvith the hand, and spurned him vvith the foote, reuerencinge his yeares nothing at all: and such as stoode a farre of, looke vvhat eche one hade in his hande, that vvas throvven at his heade, and such as ceased from pouringe out their poysened malice, thought them selues to haue greeuosly offended, supposinge by this meanes, to reuenge the ruyne of their rotten Gods. but he almoste breathlesse is throvven into pryson, vvhere after tvvo dayes, he departed this life. here vvas shevved the greate prouidence of almightye God, and the infinite mercy of Iesus Christ, though very seldome outvvardly appearing vnto the* 2.15 brethren, yet neuer destitute of the povver of Christ. and as many as faynted in the first persecu∣tion, vvere all a like imprysoned and partakers of the affliction, nether did they preuaile or the deniall profitt them, it vvas thoughte a sufficient faulte that they confessed to haue bene suche: but these, as murtherers, and haynous trespassers, vvere tvvise more greeuously plagued. the ioy of martyrdome, the hoped promisses, the loue tovvardes Christ, and the fatherly spirite com∣forted the one company: the other, vexed in conscience, so that theire outvvarde countenance bevvrayed there invvard apostasie: they vvent chearfull, vvith a greate maiesty and grace, their fetters becominge them as the skirtes of the nevve maried spouses, garnished vvith sundry co∣lors, and layed ouer vvith golde, and vvith all yelding a Christian fragrant smell, so that many supposed theyr bodies to haue bene outvvardly perfumed: but the other all sadd and sorovvful, as vile, and abiect caytifs, misshapen creatures, full of all deformity, derided of the Gentiles thē selues, deseruing death, as degenerating covvardes, destitute of the moste precious, & glorious, and liuely name of Christiantie, vvith the sight hereof many vvere confirmed, so that soden∣ly being apprehended vvithout stay protested theyr fayth, not hindred vvith one thought of de∣uelishe persvvasion. A litle after in the sayde Epistle thus it followeth: After these thinges the formes of martydome are framed, and deuided into diuerse sortes, for of manye faire colo∣red and svvete smelling flovvers, they offred vnto God the father, one vvell tvvisted, and com∣pacted crovvne or garland. it behoued noble champions, hauing borne the brunte of so varia∣ble a combatt, and gotten a magnificall victory, to triumphe vvith an incorruptible crovvne of immortalitie. Maturus then, and Sanctus, and Blandina, and Attalus, vvere ledd vnto the brute beastes, in the popular and publique spectacle of the Heathenish inhumanitie, euen at the day appointed of sett purpose by our men for so beastly a buckling. vvhere againe, Maturus, and Sanctus vvere diuerslye tormented, vvith all kinde of punishmentes, as if they had suffred nothinge before, yea rather (as it vvere vvith many nevve meanes) repellinge the aduersarye, they beare the victorious garlande, suffringe againe all the vvonted reuilinges, all the cruelty of the sauadge beastes, and vvhatsoeuer the outragious multitude craued and commaunded in compasse, and aboue all, they paciently suffred the iron chair, vvhere in theyr bodies boyled as in a frienge panne, filling such as vvere present vvith there lothsome sauore of that fulsome froth neyther vvere they thus contented but practised further to ouercome the pacient sufferaunce of the saynctes. neyther coulde they gett any other sentence of Sanctus, saue that confession* 2.16 vvhiche he cried at the firste. At lengthe vvhen that these saynctes hade endured this greate and greeuous tryall, they vvere slayne, after that all that, daye longe they hade

bene made a spectacle vnto this vvorlde, in that variable combatt, as commonly it falleth* 2.17 out in equall matches. but Blandina vvas hanged in chaynes, an obiecte for the vvilde bea∣stes, to exercise their sauadge violence vppon, no doubt so done by the ordinance of God, that she hanging in the forme of a crosse, might by her incessant prayer, procure chearefulnesse of minde, vnto the Sainctes that suffred: vvhereas they in that agony behoulding vvith outvvarde eye in their sister, him that vvas crucified for them, might persvvade the faythfull, that all such as suffer for Christes sake, shall haue fellovvship vvith the liuing God. after that she had honge a* 2.18 longe vvhile, and no beaste toutched her, she is taken dovvne, cast into pryson, and reserued for further torment, that being conquerour of many combatts, she might prouide for the crooked serpent, inexcusable condemnation, and animate the brethren vnto chearefulnesse, putting on as a smale, a vveake, and contemptible person, the greate, the strong, and inuincible champion Christ Iesus, obtayning through her diuerous, & manifolde pacience, the incorruptible crovvne of glory. Attalus also a famous man vvas greatly desired of the people vnto punishment, vvho* 2.19 being ready, and of a cleare conscience, came forth, for he vvas notably exercised in the Christi∣an profession, alvvaies a fauorer, and furtherer of the trueth. therefore vvhen he vvas led in com∣passe of the Theatre, vvith a scrole before him, vvherein vvas vvritten in the Romayne tongue: This is Attalus the Christian: and the people had raged against him, the President knovving that he vvas a Romayne, commaunded him to be imprisoned, and closely kept vvith the other prisoners, concerning vvhom he had vvritten vnto Caesar, and expected an ansvvere. The meane tyme passing betvvene, vvas neither vayne, nor frutelesse, for the infinite mercy of Christ Iesus our Sauiour, shined in the vvorlde, through their pacience. the deade by the liuing vvere reui∣ued: the martyrs profited such as vvere no martyrs: the pure virgine, and mother the Churche, vvas greatly comforted, and cherished, vvhen as she recouered and receaued for liuing, such as* 2.20 before she had loste as vntimely birthes, and dead frute. for many vvhich before had faynted, by their meanes vvere novv moulded, borne againe, stirred vp a fresh, learned to protest their faith, and novv being quickened, and strengthened, hauing tasted of him vvhich vvill not the deathe of a sinner, but is mercifull vnto the penitent: they come forth before the tribunall seate, ready to ansvvere vnto the interrogatories of the president. And because that Caesar had commaunded by vvriting that such as confessed them selues Christians, shoulde be executed, and such as re∣nounced, shoulde departe the frequented solemnitie (vvhich by reason of the concourse of the Gentyles from euery contrey, vvas about the beginning very populous) he brought forth from prison the blessed confessors into the open spectacle and presence of the people, to be scornful∣ly gased vpon, and vvhen he had agayne made inquisition of them, as many as he founde to be priuiledged persons of Rome, those he beheadded, the rest he threvv to be rēt a sunder, & torne in peeces of vvilde beastes. Christ vvas greatly glorified in them vvhich at the first denyed, and at last, beyond all the expectation of the heathen, boldely confessed their fayth. They seuerally vvere examined, to be set at liberty, but after confession they vvere coopled to the number of the martyrs. They taried vvithout vvhich neuer had grayne of fayth, no feeling of the vvedding garment, no sparckle of the feare of God, but rather through their vvicked conuersation bla∣sphemed the vvay of God, as sonnes of perdition. All the other vvere coopled to the Christian congregation. & at the tyme of examination, Alexander a Phrygian borne, professing phisicke,* 2.21 hauing dvvelled in Fraunce many yeares, a man vvell knovvne for his great zeale Godvvardes, and boldenes of speach (he vvas not vvithout the gracious and Apostolicke gift) stoode harde by the tribunall seate, and nigh the examined persons, exhorting them to bouldnesse of confes∣sion, by signes and tokens, so that by his sorovving, and sighing, by his hopping, and skipping to and froe, he vvas discryed of the standers by, and vvhen the people in compasse had ta∣ken in ill parte, that they vvhich before had recanted, againe did confesse: vvith one con∣sent they cry out agaynste Alexander, as author thereof. VVhen the President had vrged him, and demaunded of him vvhat he vvas, he ansvvered: I am a Christian. for vvhich ansvvere the President allotted him vnto the beastes, of them I say to be rent in peeces and deuoured. The seconde day after, together vvith Attalus, he is brought forthe, for the President to gratifie the* 2.22 people deliuered him vnto the beastes to be bayted the seconde time. And vvhen these had ta∣sted of all the torments prouided for them in compasse of the scaffolde, and suffred great paine, in the ende they vvere put to death. of vvhich number Alexander not once sighed, neyther vtte∣red any kinde of speache, but invvardly from the heart talked vvith God. Attalus burning in the

scaulding yron chayre, glovving hott, so that the sauour of his broyled body filled their no∣strells:* 2.23 spake vnto the multitude in the Romayne tongue: behould this is to deuoure men, for vve neither deuoure men, neyther commit any other haynous offence. And being demaunded vvhat name God had, aunsvvered: God is not called after the manner of men. after all these thinges, vppon the last day of the spectacles, Blandina, together vvith Ponticus, (a yonge man of fifteene yeares of age) vvas brought forth (vvhich thing vvas dayly vsed, to the ende they might behoulde the torments of the rest) vvhome they compelled to svveare, by their Idols names. but they constantly perseuering in their sentence, and contemning their Idols, sett the multitude in such a rage against them, that they tendered, neither pitied, the yeares of the yonge man, nether spared the vvoman kinde, but plagued them vvith all punishment possible, & that in compasse, compelling them novv and then to svveare, vvhich vvhen they coulde not bringe to passe: Pon∣ticus* 2.24 being succored of the sister in presence of the Paganes, vvho then behelde hovve that she exhorted and confirmed the yonge man: after that he had suffered all kinde of bitter torment, yelded vp the ghoste. last of all blessed Blandina, like a noble mother, hauing exhorted her chil∣dren and sent them before, as Conquerours vnto the Kinge, pondering vvith her selfe all the punishments of her children: hastened after them ioying and triumphing at her ende, as if she had bene inuited and laued to a vvedding dinner, and not to be cast among vvilde beastes. af∣ter scurging, after buckling vvith vvilde beastes, after the broyling of her bodye as it vvere in a frying panne, at lengthe she vvas vvrapped in a nette, and tumbled before a vvilde bull, vvhich tossed her vvith his hornes to and froe, yet had she no feeling of all these, * 2.25 her minde being fixed, and vvholy sett vppon the conference vvhich she had vvith Christ, in the ende she vvas beheaded: the Pagans them selues pronouncing▪ that neuer any vvo∣man vvas hearde of amonge them, to haue suffred so many and so greate torments. nether so did they cease from their crueltie and rage tovvardes the Christians, for the sauage and bar∣barous Gentyles being prouoked by a furious and beastly ••iende, coulde not quiet them selues, but that their furious rage, practised an other kinde of malicious spyte vpon the dead carkases. neither vvere they pleased in that they vvere ouercome, and voyde of natural feeling and sense, but proceeded further, like brute beastes, both President and people vvere furiously prouoked,* 2.26 prosecuting vs vvith like hatred, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, vvhich saith▪ he that is vvic∣ked, let him be vvicked still, and he that is iust, let him vvorke righteousnes still. for as many as vvere choked vp vvith the noysome stinche of the prison, vvere throvvne to be deuoured of* 2.27 dogges, charging a continual vvatch, day and night, that none of them shoulde be buried of vs and they gathering together the reliques of the Martyrs bodies, some vndeuoured of beastes, some vnburned by fire, partly torne, and partly burned, vvith the heades and stumpes of others vncouered vvith earthe, committed them for the space of many dayes, vnto the custody of soul∣diers. others fretted and ••umed, snarling at them, vvith the gnashing of their teeth, seeking fur∣ther reuengement of them. others derided and skoffed them, magnifying their Idolls as causers of this our calamitie. And such as vvere of a milder nature and somevvhat sorovved at our suffe∣ring, vehemently reuiled, and sayd: vvhere is their God? and vvhat profited them this religion, vvhich they preferred before their liues? and such vvas the variable and deuelish disposition of the infidells, to our great sorovve, because that it vvas not lavvfully permitted for vs, to bury the deade bodies of the Martyrs. neither stoode the night vnto vs in any steade for that purpose, ne∣ther vvoulde the keepers bovve for money, neither bende at our prayer, but kept the brused car∣kases of the Sainctes, as if some great commoditie grevve vnto them, by keeping them vnbury∣ed. Againe after a fewe lynes, thus they write: To be short, after that the bodyes of the blessed Sainctes had bene euery kinde of vvay spitefully, and scornfully entreated, lying vvhole six dayes along vnburied, at length they vvere burned to ashes, the ashes also they gathered & scat∣tered* 2.28 in the riuer Rhodanus vvhich passed by, so that no iote, or relique thereof shoulde longer remaine vppon earthe. this they did to the ende they might ouercome God, and hinder the re∣uiuing of the Sainctes. lest that (as they sayd) there shoulde be any further hope of the resurre∣ction, vvhereof (say they) the Christians being fully persvvaded, bring amongst vs straunge, & nevve religion, they contemne punishment, & hasten them selues chearefully vnto death. Novv let vs see vvhether they can rise, and vvhether their God can helpe, and deliuer them from our handes.

CAP. II.

How the blessed Martyrs of God, rec••••••ed after rep••••••ance, such as fell in 〈◊〉〈◊〉▪

SUch were the calamities which happened vnto the Churches of Christ, vnder the sayd Em∣perour, whereby me may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by all likely hoode, what befell vnto other prouinces. neither shal it be amisse, if out of the same epistle we alleadge farther testimony, concerning* 2.29 the mercy and mekenesse of the foresayd Martyrs, written in this manner: They vvere such fol∣lovvers of Christ (vvho vvhen he vvas in the forme of God, thought no robbery to be equall vvith God) that being sett in such a glory, they suffered torments, neither once, nor tvvyse, but often, and againe being reskued from the beastes, hauing the prynt of hott irons, and skarres, and vvoundes in their bodies, neither called they them selues Martyrs, neither permitted others so to terme them. but if any of vs so named them in our epistles, they sharply rebuked vs, they* 2.30 attributed the name of martyrdome vvith full minde vnto Christ, vvho vvas the faythfull and true Martyr, the first frutes of the deade, the guyde vnto life. they called to minde their misera∣ble torments, vvhich ended the race and course of this life vvith blessed martyrdome, and saide: They novv are Martyrs, vvhome Christe voutchsafed to receaue vnto him by confession, and through the passage of this persecuted life, to seale their martyrdome among the number of the blessed Sainctes: but vve are meane, and base, and humble confessours. they beseached the bre∣thren vvith vvatrish eyes, and vvett cheekes to pray incessantly for their happy endes. they ex∣pressed liuely the povver of martyrdome, vvhile they resisted the Heathens vvith libertye and boldenesse, shevving their noble corage through pacience, their constancy vvithout feare, or trembling, and being called Martyrs of the brethren, refused it vvith the fulnesse of the feare of God. And a litle after, thus they writ••: they humbled them selues vnder the mighty hande of* 2.31 God, by the vvhich they are novv highly exalted: they rendred vnto all men an accompt in the defence of their fayth: they accused none, loosed all, and bounde no man: they prayed for their persecutors after the example of Stephan, that perfect Martyr, vvhich sayde: Lorde lay not this* 2.32 sinne to their charge, if he prayed for them that stoned him, hovv much more for the brethren? Againe, a litle after they say: the greatest combatt they had vvith him (meaning the serpent) vvas for the syncerity of loue. so that the roring lyon being foyled before, novv quickened and sturred vp such as he thought to haue had deuoured. they shevved no insolent atrogancye to∣vvards* 2.33 them that fell, but ministred vnto such as vvanted of their aboundance, being affectio∣ned vvith motherly pity and compassion tovvards them: and sheading many teares vnto God the father for their sakes, they craued life, and he graunted it them, vvhich life they communica∣ted to their neighboures: and so they passing as Conquerours in all thinges, embracing peace, and shevvinge the same vnto vs, departed this life vvith peace, and posted vnto the heauen∣ly & celestiall paradise: leauing no griefe behinde them vnto the mother, no sedition or vvarre vnto the brethren: but ioye, and peace, and concorde, and loue. I suppose these thinges not to be vnprofitably spoken of vs, toutching the loue of the blessed Martyrs towardes the brethren that fell, whereby we may note the vnnaturall, and mercylesse mindes of such as after these ex∣amples greeuously afflicte the members of Christ.

CAP. III.

Of the vision that appeared vnto Attalus the Martyr in his sleepe.

THe same epistle of the foresayd brethren, contayneth an history worthy of memory, which without let of the enuious, may be layd downe to the knowledge of the Reader, and it is thus: There vvas among them one Alcibiades, vvho liued beastly and miserly, feeding on∣ly* 2.34 on breade and vvater. VVhen he had so determined vvith him selfe to liue in prison, it vvas re∣uealed vnto Attalus after his torment on the Theatre: that Alcibiades behaued not him selfe a∣right, in that he vsed not the lavvfull creatures of God, and thereby also gaue an occasion of falling vnto others, hereof vvhen Alcibiades vvas persvvaded, he vsed all indifferently, and pray∣sed God. for they vvere not destitute of the grace of God, but had the holy Ghost for their di∣recter.* 2.35 of these thinges thus much. When as Montanus, and Alcibiades, and Theodotus, then fresh, and first of all, of many throughout Phrygia, were thought to be endued with the gyfte of prophe∣cye,

(for many other miraculous operations, wrought by the diuine power of God in many places, perswaded them that these had also the gifte of prophecye) and because of them, sediti∣on was raysed: agayne, the brethren inhabiting Fraunce, layde downe in writing, their godly and Catholicke censure of them, and withall, alleadged sundry epistles of the holy Martyrs that suffered among them, which (being in close prison) they had written vnto the brethren throughout Asia, and Phrygia, in the which also they called and prouoked Eleutherius then▪ Bi∣shop of Rome, to the defence of the Ecclesiasticall peace.

CAP. IIII.

The Martyrs in Fraunce commende Irenaus Bishop of Lions, by their epistle vnto Eleutherius Bishop of Rome,

THe same Martyrs highly commended Irenaeus, minister of the Church of Lions▪ vnto the foresayd Bishop of Rome, as their owne wordes declare in this manner: Father▪ Eleuthe∣rius* 2.36 vve vvishe you health in all thinges, and alvvaies in God. VVe haue requested: Irenae∣us our brother & fellovv laborer, to deliuer you these letters, vvhome, vve pray you to accept of▪ as a zelous follovver of the vvill of Christ. for if vve vnderstoode that any mans degree yelded forth, and deliuered righteousnes vnto the graduate, namely as being minister of the Church▪ vvhich this man is, vve vvoulde haue chiefly commended this in him. To what ende shoulde I now out of the same epistle, rehearse the catalogue of Martyrs, I meane of them which were be∣headed, and of them which were deuoured of wilde beastes, and of them which dyed in prison, and the number of those confessors, who then as yet liued? for if any man be disposed at large to reade thereof, let him take in hande my booke of Martyrs, where the collection thereof is im∣prynted.* 2.37 these thinges were after this manner in the tyme of Antoninus the Emperour.

CAP. V.

How that God in great necessity sent rayne at the faithfull Christian souldiers prayers, vnto the hoaste of Marcus Aurelius a Heathenish Emperour.

THe historyes doe recorde, that when his brother Marcus Aurelius the Emperour, warred* 2.38 against the Germans and Sarmatians, his hoast in manner perished with thirste, so that he wist not what to do: and that the souldiers of the legion called Melitana, moued againe & a∣gaine with faithfulnes towards their Prince, bowed downe vppon their bare knees (as our accu∣stomed manner of praying is) in the middest of the army, turning them to the enemyes, and made supplication vnto God. When as this sight seemed straung vnto the enemies, there was shewed a* 2.39 farre more straung spectacle, to wit: lightening, which put the enemies to flight & ouerthrowe, & withall a showre of rayne to refreshe the armye, which welnigh perishing with thirst, powred out their prayers before the high throne of the maiestie of God. This history is reported by such as fauored not the Christian fayth, yet were careful to set forth the things which concerned the fore∣said persons. it is also written by our men. but of the heathen Historiographers them selues, the miracle is mentioned, not expressly to proceede by the meanes of our men, yet our writers as friendes, and fauorers of the true doctrine, haue deliuered simply, and plainly the deede, as it was done. wherof Apollinarius, is a witnes of creditt, who reporteth that this legion (by whose praiers this miracle came to passe) was from y^• time forth called by y^e Emperour in the Romayne tongue after a peculier name, the Lightening legion. Tertullian also a man worthy of good creditt, dedi∣cating* 2.40 an Apology in y^• Latine tongue, vnto y^• Romayne Senate, in the defence of our faith (wher∣of we mentioned before) hath confirmed this history w^t a mightier & more manifest proofe, for he writeth y^• the most prudent epistles of Marcus, are yet extant, where he testifieth him selfe, y^• war∣ring w^t the Germanes, through the scarsitie of water, his army welnigh perished, but yet was sa∣ued through y^e prayers of y^e Christians. he saith y^t this Emperour threatned them w^t death, which went about to accuse them. vnto the aforesaid thinges he addeth: vvhat maner of lavves are these* 2.41 against vs? impious, vniust, cruell, vvhich neither Vespasian obserued, although conquerour of the Ievves: vvhich Traian partly frustrated, commaunding the inquisition, for the Christians, to cease: vvhich neither Adrianus, although busying him selfe vvith euery matter, nether he vvhich vvas called Pius confirmed. but weye of this euery man as pleaseth him, we will prosecute that* 2.42

which followeth in order of historye. When Pothinus of the age of foure score and tenne yeares, had ended this life, together with the other Martyrs in Fraunce: Irenaeus succeeded him in the Bishoprike of Lions. whome we haue learned in his youthe to haue bene the auditor of Polycar∣pus. this same Irenaeus in his thirde booke against the heresies, annecteth the succession of the Ro∣maine Bishops, vnto Eleutherius, whose tymes presently we prosecute, and reciteth the cataloge of them, as if it were his speciall drift, writing in this manner:

CAP. VI.

The cataloge of the Romayne Bishops out of Irenaeus.

THe blessed Apostles planting, and buylding the Church, committed vnto Linus the go∣uernment* 2.43 of the ministery▪ This Linus, Paul remembred in his epistle vnto Timothe▪ him succeeded Anacletus, after him Clemens, the thirde from the Apostles: vvhich both savve them, had his conuersation vvith them, and had both the preaching and tradition of the blessed Apostles, graffed in his minde, and paynted before his eyes. neither vvas he yet alone, for there liued at that time, a great many vvhich vvere ordayned by the Apostles. In the time of this Cle∣mens there vvas raysed no small sedition among the brethren at Corinthe, vvherfore the church of Rome vvrote vnto the Corinthians a vvorthy epistle, reconciling them vnto peace, and re∣nevving their faith, and tradition, lately receaued of the Apostles. A litle after he sayth: After this Clemens, succeeded Euarestus: after Euarestus, Alexander: after Alexander, Xystus: he vvas the sixt from the Apostles. aftervvards Telesphorus, vvhich vvas gloriously crovvned vvith mar∣tyrdome. him follovved Hyginus. then Pius. after him Anicetus, vvhome Soter succeeded. Novv Eleutherius vvas the tvvelfe Bishop from the Apostles. after the same order, the same doctrine, & tradition of the Apostles, truely taught in the Church, at this day continevved vnto our time.

CAP. VII.

How vnto that tyme, miracles were wrought by the faythfull.

THese thinges Irenaeus agreeable vnto the historyes mentioned before, hath layde downe in those fiue bookes, which he wrote to the subuersion and confutation of the falsely named science. agayne in the seconde booke of the same argument, he signifyeth how that vnto his tyme, signes and examples of the straunge, and wonderfull power of God, were seene florishing in certayne Churches, saying: they are farre from raysing of the deade,* 2.44 as the Lorde and his Apostles did, through prayer, and as many of the brethren many times, the vvhole Churche of some certayne place, by reason of some vrgent cause, vvith fasting, and chaste prayer, hath brought to passe, that the spirite of the deade returned to the body. and man vvas by the earnest prayers of the Sainctes, restored to lyfe agayne. A litle after he sayth: But if they say the Lorde vvrought these thinges phantastically, vve vvill leade* 2.45 them vnto the practised examples of the Prophetes, and proue out of them, that they all prophecied of him after this manner, and that these thinges vvere done in deede, and that he vvas the onely sonne of God. VVherefore in his name they that be his true Disciples, receauing grace of him, bende their vvhole might to this ende, that euery one, after the quantitie of the talent receaued, doe benefitt the other brethren. some soundely and truely expell deuills, so that they being deliuered of their euill spirites, embraced the fayth, and vvere receaued into the Church: others haue the foreknovvledge of thinges to come, they see diuine dreames, & pro∣pheticall visions: others cure the deseased and sickly, restore them to their health, by their lay∣ing on of handes. Novv according to our former saying, the deade vvere raysed to life, and li∣ued together vvith vs many yeares. for the gracious giftes of the holy Ghost are innumerable, vvhich the Church, dispersed throughout the vvhole vvorlde, hauing receaued, disposeth day∣ly in the name of Iesus Christ crucified, vnder Pontius Pilate, to the benefitt of the Gentyles: se∣ducing none, neither selling to any at any pryce, as she hath receaued them freely, so freely she bestovveth them. Againe, in an other place Irenaeus writeth: as vve haue hearde of many* 2.46 brethren in the Churche vvhich had the gift of prophecying: vvhich vvere able through the ho∣ly Ghost to speake vvith sundry tongues: vvhich coulde reueale the secretes of men vvhere it so behoued, and expounde the darke mysteries of God. thus much of the diuersity of giftes, which florished among the worthy men vnto that time.

CAP. VIII.

VVhat Irenaus wrote of, and concerning the holye Scriptures canonicall, and the septuagints translation,

FOr as much as in the beginning of this our treatise, we haue promised in their seuerall pla∣ces, to alleage the testimonies of the auncient ecclesiasticall elders, and writers, which they haue written to our knowledge, & deliuered to the posteritie toutchinge the canonicall scri∣ptures of bothe the olde and newe testament: nowe we will endeuour to performe the same. And beginninge with Irenaeus, firste of all let vs see, what he hath written of the newe testament, his* 2.47 wordes are these: Matthewe deliuered vnto the Hebrues the historie of the Gospell, vvritten in theire ovvne tongue. VVhen Peter and Paul preached at Rome, and planted the churche, after their departure Marke the disciple and interpreter of Peter also, deliuered vs in vvritinge suche thinges as he had hearde Peter preache. and Luke accompanyenge Paul, comprised in one vo∣lume the Gospell preached of him. After these, Iohn the disciple of our Lorde, vvhich also lea∣ned on his breaste, published a Gospell vnto the posteritie remaining at Ephesus. This hath he written in his thirde booke. And in the fifte of the same argument he reasoneth of the reuelation* 2.48 of Sainct Iohn, and the calculation of Antichristes name: These thinges beinge thus, vvhen as in all true and auncient copies, this numbre is layde dovvne: and they also testifie the same vvhiche savve Iohn vvith their eyes, and the vvorde it selfe teacheth vs, that the number of the beastes name, according vnto the numbring of the Gentiles, is declared by the letters, ex∣pressed in the vvord it selfe. (A litle beneath of the same thus he sayth,) VVe doubte nothing of the name of Antichrist, of the vvhich vve affirme sure & certenly. for if his name at this present* 2.49 vvere openly to be published, no doubt it had bene done by him vvhich pronounced the reue∣lation▪ neither vvas the reuelation seene long agoe, but vvelnighe in this our age, vnder the end of Domitians raigne. thus muche he sayed of the reuelation of Sainct Iohn. He hath made mention of the firste Epistle of Iohn citing thence many testimonies. also of the former of Peter. and he, not onely knewe, but allowed of the booke of Hermes intituled Pastor, sayeng: That vvritinge hath* 2.50 very vvell pronounced vvhich saithe: before all thinges beleue there is one God, vvhich hath created and made perfect all thinges, &c. Hee hath vsed also certaine sentences selected out of the booke of VVisdome of Solomon, where he sayeth: The sight of God bringeth incorru∣ption, incorruption dravveth a man vnto God. He cyteth the woorkes of some one Apostolicke elder, whose name he passeth ouer with silence, yet pronounceth his interpretation of holy scrip∣ture. Moreouer he remembred Iustinus Martyr and Ignatius, alleaging their writinges for testi∣monies. he hath promised to confute Marcion in a seuerall volume. but of the translation of the* 2.51 olde testament by the septuagintes heare what he writeth in these wordes: God then vvas made man & the Lord himselfe hath saued vs geuing vs a Virgine for a signe, not as some saie vvhich presume to interprete the Scriptures: beholde a damsell shall conceaue and bring forth a sonne as Theodotion the Ephesine, and Aquila of Pontus translated, vvhich vvere both Ievvish prose∣lytes, vvhom the Ebionites folovving, haue taught that Christ vvas borne of Ioseph and Marie. After a fewe lynes he addeth sayinge: Before the Romaine empire grevve to be of suche force vvhen as yet the Macedonians helde Asia, Ptolomaeus the sonne of Lagus fullie minded to erect a librarie at Alexandria, and to replenishe the same vvith all such good bookes as vvere extant: requested of the Ievves inhabiting Ierusalem, that they vvould sende him their bookes, transla∣ted into the Greeke tongue. they (forasmuche as they vvere as yet subiect vnto the Macedoni∣ans)* 2.52 sent vnto Ptolomaeus, seuentie elders, from among them, very skilfull in their bookes, and both the tongues. God no doubt disposinge this thinge after his pleasure. Ptolomaeus for tryals sake, fearing, if they conferred together they vvould conceale the truth reuealed in their bokes: commaunded them seuerally euery man by himselfe to vvrite his translation, and this in euery booke throughout the olde testament. VVhen as they all came together in presence of Ptolo∣maeus, and conferred the translations one vvith an other, God vvas glorified, and the Scriptures diuine in deede, vvere knovven. for all they from the beginninge to the endinge, had expressed the selfe same thing, vvith the selfe same vvordes, and the selfe same sentences. so that the Gen∣tils then present, pronounced those scriptures to haue bene translated, by the instincte and mo∣tion of the spirite of God. neither may it seme maruailous vnto any man that God brought this to passe, for vvhen as in the captiuitie of his people vnder Nabuchodonosor, the scriptures vvere

perished (the Ievves returning into their ovvne region, after seuenty yeares, in the tyme of Ar∣taxerxes King of Persia) he inspyred Esdras the priest of the tribe of Le••••, that he restored a∣gayne all the sayinges of the former Prophetes, and delyuered vnto the people the lavve geuen by Moses. thus farre Irenaeus.

CAP. IX.

Of Iulianus Bishop of Alexandria, and Pantaenus there professor of diuinitie.

WHen Antoninus had raigned ninetene yeares, * 2.53 Comodus tooke the rule of the imperi∣all scepter: in the first yeare of whose raigne Iulianus was chosen Bishop ouer the Churches of Alexandria, after that Agrippinus had gouerned there twelue yeares. There moderated there, at that tyme, the schole of the faythfull, a famous learned man, called Pantaenus. for that of olde, exercise and disputation in holy Scripture florished among them, insti∣tuted (as we are giuen to vnderstande) by such men as excelled in eloquence, and studye of holy Scripture. it is written that amonge them which then liued, this Pantaenus was in great estima∣tion, brought vp among the secte of Philosophers, called Stoickes. he is sayd to haue shewed such promptnes of a willing minde, towards the publishing of the doctrine of Christ, that he became a preacher of the Gospell, vnto the Easterne Gentiles, and was sent as farre as India. there were, (I say) there were then, many Euangelistes prepared for this purpose, to promote, & to plant the heauenly word with godly zeale, after the guyse of the Apostles.* 2.54 of these Pantaenus being one, is sayd to haue come into India, where he founde the Gospell of Matthewe, written in the Hebrewe tongue, kept of such as knewe Christ, preached there before his comming by Bartholomewe, one of the Apostles, and as they reporte, reserued there vnto this daye. This Pantaenus then after he had done many notable thinges, gouerned the Church of Alexandria, where by rote, and by wri∣ting, he published much precious doctrine.

CAP. X.

Of Clemens Alexandrinus.

TOgether also at that time was Clemens founde at Alexandria, well exercised in holy Scripture, of the same name with him which of old was byshop of Rome, and disciple of the Apostles, and namely in his bookes intitled Hypotyposeon he maketh mention of Pan¦taenus by the name of his master. I suppose him to haue meante the same, in his first booke in∣titled Stromatôn when he recited, the moste renowmed, and famous men, of the Apostolicke suc∣cession,* 2.55 whome he embraced saying: If it be best to confesse the trueth, this present taicte of mine is not made for any ostentation, but for a monumente graffed in minde: or rather a medi∣cene, to expell the forgetfulnes of mine olde age, that it may be vnto me a simple resemblance, or a sleyght kinde of portracture, of those notable and liuely men, vvhome sometimes I harde vvith mine eares, of vvhich both sayinges, and sainctes, on vvas of Grece an Ionicke, an other of great Grece, one of Caelosyria, an other of Aegypte: some from the east, vvhereof one vvas an Assyrian: an other of Palaestina of the Hebrevve bloode. he vvhich is last in order of name, vvas the first in renovvned vertue. I remained in Aegyptshiftinge out such thinges as lay in secrett, vvhē I founde him. these haue obserued the right tradition of true doctrine, vvhich before they had receaued of Peter, Iames, Iohn, Paul, holy Apostles, as a sonne of the father, yet very fevve like theyr fathers. God no doubt disposing that those fatherly & Apostolicke seedes should by them be layed vp and reserued for vs.

CAP. XI.* 2.56

Of the byshopes of Ierusalem.

AT this time was Narcissus byshop of Ierusalem, a man very famous, the fifteeneth in suc∣cession* 2.57 from the ouerthrowe of the Ievves, vnder Adrian. from which time we haue signi∣fied before the Churche after the Ievves, to haue bene gouerned by the Gentiles, and the first byshop of them to haue bene Marcus, next him was Cassianus, after him Publius, after Publius

Maximus. after Maximus, Iulianus. after Iulianus, Caius. after Caius, Symachus. after Symachus an other Caius. after him, an other Iulianus. him succeeded Capito. after him Valens. after Valens, Doli∣chianus. after all Narcissus, the thirtieth in succession from the Apostles.

CAP. XII.

Of Rhodon, and the repugnancy which he founde in the heresie of Marcion.

ABout the same time florished one Rhodon, an Asian, sometime at Rome, by his owne report the disciple of Tatianus, who wrote many bookes, and together with others impugned the heresie of Marcion. he paynteth this heresie in his time to haue bene seuered, into sundry sectes. the Authors of which schisme, and their false positions, seuerally inuented, he hath sharply and in fewe wordes reprehended. heare him if you please, writing thus: VVherefore they varied* 2.58 among themselues, coursing an vnconstant sentence. of that crue vvas Apelles, pretending a po∣liticall kinde of conuersation, and sadde grauitie: confessing one beginning, and saying, that prophecyes are of a contrary spirite: fully crediting the sentences and deuelishe doctrine of a mayde called Philumaena. others some (as the rouer Marcion) haue layde dovvne tvvo begin∣ninges, of vvhich opinion are Pontinus, and Basilicus. these follovving Lycus of Pontus, not per∣ceauing the right distinction of thinges, (no more did he) runne headelong out of the vvay, and published barely, and nakedly vvithout shevv, or proofe of reason, tvvo principall beginnings▪ againe others some, falling farre vvorse, haue dreamed, not onely of tvvo, but of three natures, vvhose author and ringeleader is Synerus, by the report of them vvhich fauour his doctrine. The* 2.59 same Rhodon writeth, that he had conference with Apelles, saying: by reasoninge vvith this olde Apelles, I tooke him vvith many falsehoodes, vvhereupon he sayd: that no man vvas to be exa∣mined of his doctrine, but euery man to continevve quietly, as he beleued. he pronounced sal∣uation for such as beleued in Christ crucified, so that they vvere founde exercised in good vvor∣kes. his doctrine of the God of all thinges, vvas maruelous darke, and obscure. he confessed on beginning agreeable vvith our doctrine. after he had layde downe his whole opinion, he sayth: VVhen I demaunded of him hovv prouest thou this? hovve canst thou affirme that there is one beginning? tell vs. he made ansvvere that he misliked vvith the prophecies them selues, for that they vttered no trueth, but varied among them selues that they vvere false, and contrary to them selues. hovv that there vvas one beginning, he sayd: He knevve not, but yet he vvas so persvva∣ded. aftervvards I charged him to tell me the trueth. he svvare he sayd the trueth, neither knevve he hovv there vvas one God vnbegotten, yet beleued he the same. I truly condemned him vvith laughter, for that he called him self a doctor, and coulde not confirme his doctrine. In the same booke Rhodon speaking to Calliston, confesseth him self at Rome to haue bene the disciple of Tati∣anus. he reporteth that Tatianus wrote a booke of Problemes. Wherefore when as Tatianus pro∣mised to sifte out, the darke speaches and hidd mysteries of holy Scripture: Rhodon promised al∣so* 2.60 in a peculiar volume, to publish the resolutions of his Problemes. his commentaries vpon the six dayes vvorkes, are at this day extant. but Apelles wrote infinite tractes, impiously agaynst the lawe of Moses, reus••ing in most of them, the holy Scriptures, very paynfull and earnest in the re∣prehension, and (as he thought) in the ouerthrowe of them. of these thinges thus farre.

CAP. XIII.* 2.61

Of the false prophets in Phrygia, and foule schisme raysed at Rome by Florinus and Blastus.

THat sworne enemy of the Church of God, hater of all honesty, embracer of all spite & ma∣lice, omitting no opportunitie or subtle shift to snare men in, stirred vp againe straunge he∣resies, to molest the Church, and of those Heretickes some crept into Asia, and Phrygia, af∣ter* 2.62 the manner of venemous serpents. whereof the Montanists bragge and boaste of Montanus as a comforter and of his women Priscilla and Maximilla as Prophetisses of Montanus. others some preuayled at Rome, whose captayne was Florinus, a Priest excommunicated out of the Churche.* 2.63 and together with him one Blastus, subiect to the same daunger of soule. both these haue subtly circumuented many, and perswaded them to their purpose, euery one seuerally establishing newe doctrine, yet all contrary to the trueth.

CAP. XIIII.

The censure of the olde writers toutching Montanus, and his false prophetes.

THe victorious and inuincible power of the trueth alwayes preuailing, hath raysed vp A∣pollinarius of Hierapolis (of whome we spake before) as a stiffe and strong defence, to∣gether with many other discreate persons of those tymes, to the confutation of the fore∣sayd Phrygian heresie. whiche haue left behinde them matter sufficient, and very copious, for this our historye. Wherefore one of them taking penne in hande, to paynte out these heretickes, signi∣fieth at the entrance how he rebuked them with vnwritten elenches, he beginneth thus: It is novv* 2.64 a great vvhile agoe (vvelbeloued Auircus Marcellus) since thou diddest enioyne me this taske▪ that I should publish some booke against the follovvers of the hereticke Miltiades, vvherupon I doubted vnto this day, vvhat vvas best to be done. not but that I vvas able to confute their false∣hoode, and geue testimony vnto the trueth: but that I feared greatly, lest by vvriting, I shoulde adde something vnto the perfect vvordes of the nevv testament. vvhereto nothing may be ad∣ded, and vvherefro nothing may be taken avvay, by him, that vvill leade a life agreeable to the Gospell. I being of late at Ancyra in Galatia, founde the Churche throughout Pontus, filled, not vvith Prophets, (as they call them) but rather, as it shall be proued, vvith false Prophets: vvhere through the Lorde, as much as in me laye, I disputed in the Churche, the space of many* 2.65 dayes, against them, and their seuerall obiections. so that the Churche reioysed, and vvas there∣by confirmed in the trueth. but the contrary parte yet repyned, and the gaynesayers vvere very sorovvefull. and vvhen the Elders of that place required of me, in the presence of our fellovve minister Zoticus Otrenus, that I vvould leaue them in vvriting, some commentary of such things as vvere vttered against the aduersaries of the trueth: At that time I did not, but promised, that I vvoulde shortly, through the helpe of the Lorde, vvrite somevvhat therof vnto them. these and the like thinges layd downe in the proeme, in processe of his booke he writeth thus: VVherefore the originall of them, and their nevve founde opinion against the Churche of God, vvas af∣ter this sorte: there is a certaine village in Mysia, (a region of Phrygia) called Ardabau, vvhere* 2.66 histories recorde, that first of all, one Montanus, a late conuerte, in the time of Gratus, Proconsul of Asia, pufte vp vvith an immoderate desire of primacy, opened a gappe for the aduersary to enter into him. and being madde and sodainly estraunged, and berefte of his vvitts, vvaxed furious, and published straunge doctrine, contrary to the tradition, and custome, and auncient succession (novv receaued) vnder the name of prophecy. they vvhich then vvere auditors of this vnlavvfull preaching, some chasticed & checked him, for a lunaticke, & one that vvas possessed of the spirite of error, & forbad him to preach, being mindful of the forevvarning, & threatning of our Sauiour, tending to this ende: that vve shoulde take diligent heede of false prophets: o∣thers * 2.67 some vvaxed insolent, boasted & bragged of him not a litle, as if he vvere endued vvith the holy Ghost, & the gift of prophecye: being forgtefull of the forevvarning of God, they cal∣led vpon the dissembling, the flattering and seducing spirite of the people, (by the vvhich they vvere snared, & deceaued) that through silēce he should no more be hindred. the deuil through a certain arte, or rather the like subtle methode, vvorking the destruction of disobedient persons being more honored thē his merit did require: stirred vp & kindled their mindes, svvarued alrea∣dy from the faith, & slumbring in sinne, so that he raised tvvo vvomen, possessed of a foule spirit* 2.68 vvhich spake fonde, foolish, & fanaticall thinges (euen as he had before) they reioyced, & glori∣ed in the spirite vvhich pronounced them happy, and puffed them vp, vvith infinite faire promi∣ses. yet sometimes by signes and tokens he rebuked them to their faces, so that he seemed a cha∣sticing spirite. there vvere fevve of the Phrygians seduced, notvvithstanding, that boulde and blinde spirite, instructed them to blaspheme, and reuile generally, euery Church vnder heauen, because they neyther did homage, neyther curteously receaued amonge them, that false spi∣rite* 2.69 of prophecye. the faithfull throughout Asia, for this cause men often and in many places, examined the nevve founde doctrine: pronounced it for prophane▪ they excommunicated, reiected, and banished this hereticall opinion, out of their churches. When he had written these thinges, in the beginning, and throughout his first booke reprehended their error: in his seconde booke he writeth thus of their endes: because they charge vs with the deathe of the Prophets, for that vve receaue not their disordered fantasies (these saye they are the Prophets vvhiche the Lorde promysed to sende his people) let them aunsvvere me, I charge them in the

name of the liuing God, ôye good people: is there any one of the secte of Montanus, and these vvomen, vvhich hath bene persecuted by the Ievves, or put to deathe by any tyrant? not one of them bearing this name, vvas eyther apprehended, or crucyfied. neyther vvas there any vvoman of them in the Synagogues of the Ievves, eyther scurged, or stoned at all. but Mon∣tanus, and Maximilla, are sayde to dye an other kinde of deathe. many doe vvrite that* 2.70 both these, throughe the motion of their madde spirit, not together at one tyme, but at se∣uerall tymes, hanged them selues, and so ended their lyues, after the manner of Indas the traytour. euen as the common reporte goeth of Theodotus, that iolly fellovve, the first foun∣der* 2.71 of their prophecye, vvho being frenticke, persvvaded him selfe on a certayne tyme through the spirit of error, to take his flight vp into the heauens, and so being caste into the ayre, tom∣bled dovvne and dyed miserably. thus it is reported to haue come to passe. yet in so muche vve savve it not vvith our eyes, vve can not (Ovvorthy Syr) alleadge it for certayne, vvhether Montanus, Theodotus, and the vvoman dyed thus, orno. Agayne he writeth in the same booke, howe that the holy Bishops, going about to rebuke the spirite, which spake in Ma∣ximilla were hindered by others, that wrought with the same spirite, sayinge as followeth: let not the spirite of Maximilla saye as it is in the Epistle to Asterius Ʋrbanus: I am cha∣ced as a vvolfe from the sheepe. I am no vvolfe. I am the vvorde, the spirite, and povver: but let him manifestly expresse that povver, by the spirite, and preuayle. let him compell such men as then vvere present to trye, and conferre vvith that talkatyue spirite. namely these vvorthy men and Bishops: Zoticus of Comanum, and Iulian of Apamia: to confesse the same. vvhose mouthes vvhen the companions of Themison had stopped, they suffered not the lying spirite, and seducer of the people to be rebuked. In the same booke after he had layde downe other thinges to the confutation of Maximilla his false prophecyes, he declareth with all, the tyme when he wrote, and their prophecyes foreshewing warres and sedicions, whose fonde fantasies he confuteth in this sorte: And hovv can it othervvise fall out but that this be* 2.72 founde a manifest vntrueth and open falsehoode. For novve it is more then thirtene yeares agoe since this vvoman dyed, and yet in all this space, hath there happened in this vvorlde neither ci∣uill, neither generall vvarres, but especially the Christians, through the mercy of God haue had continuall peace. Thus much out of the seconde booke. out of the thirde booke we will alleadge a fewe lynes, agaynst them which gloried that many of them were crowned with martyrdome, for thus he writeth: VVhen as they are in the premisses blanked, confuted, and voyde of argu∣ments,* 2.73 they flye for shift and refuge vnto martyrs, reporting them selues to haue many, affirming that to be a sure and a certayne proofe of the propheticall spirite raygning among them. nei∣ther is this a most euident proofe as it appeareth, for diuers other hereticall sectes haue many Martyrs, vnto vvhome for all that, vve neither condescende, neither confesse that they haue the* 2.74 trueth among them. And first for all the Mareionites affirme they haue many Martyrs, vvhen as for all that their doctrine is not of Christ him self according vnto the trueth. a litle after he sayth: these that are called to their tryall, and to testifie the true fayth by suffring of Martyrdome, are of the Churche: they communicate not vvith any of the Phrygian hereticall Martyrs, but are seuered from them, consenting no not in one iote vvith the fonde spirite of Montanus, and his vvoman, and that this vvhich I saye is moste true, it shall euidently appeare by the examples of Caius, and Alexander, Martyrs of Eumenia, vvho suffered in our tyme at Apamia, situ∣ated vppon the ryuer Maeander.

CAP. XV.* 2.75

Of Miltiades and his workes.

IN the afore sayd booke, this Apollinarius remembred the Commentaries of Miltiades, who likewise wrote a booke against the foresayd heresie. the wordes by him cyted were in this sort: these things haue I briefly alleadged, and found vvritten in some one of their commentaries,* 2.76 vvhich confute the booke of Alcibiades, vvhere he declareth that it is not the property of a Pro∣phet, to prophecye in a traunce. a litle after he rehearseth the Prophets of the newe Testa∣ment, among whome he numbreth one Ammias, and Quadratus, saying as followeth: A false Prophet in a traunce, vvhere licence, and impunitie doe concurre, beginneth vvith rashe igno∣raunce, & endeth vvith furious rage and frensie of mind, as it is sayd before. of this sort, & in such

traunce of spirite they shalbe able to shevve vs non of the prophetes, ether of the olde, or of the nevve testament, neyther shall they be able to glory of Agabus, of Iudas, of the daughters of* 2.77 Philip, of Ammias the Philadelphian, of Quadratus, neither of any other, vvhich may any thing auaile them: Againe he wryteth: If that as they say, after Quadratus, and Ammias the Philadelphian, these vvomen of Montanus, succeeded in the gift of prophecy: lett them shevve vvho aftervvardes succeeded Montanus, and his vvomen. for the Apostle thinketh good, that the gift of prophecie should raigne in euery Church, euen vnto the ende, but novve for the space of these fouretene yeares, since Maximilla dyed, they are able to shevve vs not one. so farre he. this Militiades whome he remembreth, leaft vnto vs in wryting other monu∣mentes* 2.78 of his laboure, and industrie, in the holy Scriptures: aswell in the bookes he wrote agaynst the Gentiles as also in the books agaynst the Ievves. satisfieng & confuting in two books their seuerall argumentes, and opinions. afterwardes he wrote an Apologie of the Christian philosophie, which he embraced vnto the potentates and princes of this world.

CAP. XVI.

Apollonius his iudgement of the same heresie.* 2.79

TO be briefe this Phrygian heresie was confuted by Apollonius an ecclesiasticall writer who then (I saye at that time) florished in Phrygia: he published a seuerall booke against it, he refuted their prophecyes, accompting them for vayne lyes: he plainely opened and re∣uealed the conuersation of such as were principall and chief patrons of this heresie of Monta∣nus, he wrote in this manner: But vvhat kinde of nevve Doctor this is, his vvorkes and do∣ctrine* 2.80 doe declare. This is he vvhich taught the breakinge of vvedlocke: this is he vvhich prescribed lavves of fastinge: this is he vvhich called Pepuza and Timium (peltinge pari∣shes of Phrygia) Ierusalem, to the ende he might entice all men from euery vvhere to frequent thither. this is he vvhich ordayned tolegatherers & taxers of money▪ this is he vvhich vnder pre∣tense and colour of oblations, hath conningely inuented the arte of bribinge: this is he vvhich giueth greate hyre vnto the preachers of his doctrine, that by feedinge of the panche his pro∣phecies may preuaile. Thus much of Montanus, and immediatly of his Prophetisses he wry∣teth: VVe haue shevved before, these first prophetisses, from the time they vvere filled vvith theyr false spirite, to haue forsaken theyr husbandes, hovve shamefully then do they lye calling Priscilla a virgin? He addeth sayinge: Doth not the-vvhole Scripture forbydde, that a pro∣phete* 2.81 shoulde receaue revvardes, and money? VVhen I see a prophetisse receaue golde and siluer, and precious garmentes, hovve can I chuse but detest her? Agayne of an other he sayth: And besides these, Themison also inflammed vvith the burninge thurst of couetousnesse, tasted not of the tarte conyzance of confession, before the tyrant, but shifted himself out of fetteres, vvith much money. And vvhen as therefore he shoulde haue humbled himselfe, yet he all in braggery, as if he vvere a martyr after the example of the Apostle vvrote a catholicke epistle, very presumptuously, to enstructe them vvhich beleued better then he did, and to exhort them to striue for the nevve doctrine together vvith him, and to reuile the Lorde, and his Apo∣stles, and his holy Churche. Againe speakinge of one of theyr highlye esteemed Martyrs he wryteth in this sorte: And that vve trouble not our selues vvith many, lett the prophetisse tell vs toutchinge Alexander, vvho called himselfe a Martyre: vvith vvhome she hathe banque∣ted:* 2.82 vvhome also many doe adore: vvhose theftes and other haynous crimes vvhich he suf∣fred for, I vvill not presently rehearse, for they are publickely knovven and registered, vvhose sinnes hathe he pardoned? vvhether doth a prophete yeld thefte vnto a Martyre, or a mar∣tyr an immoderate desire of plenteousnesse and gathering vnto a prophete? vvhen as Christ cō∣maunded you shall not possesse gold, neither siluer, neither tvvo coates, these of the contrarye, seke after the possession of vnlavvfull substance. vve haue declared, that they, vvhome they call prophetes, and martyrs, haue extorted money, not onely of the riche, but of the poore, the fatherlesse, and the vvidovves. but if they pleade innocency, let them staye and ioyne vvith vs in ishvve, in the same matter, vpon this condition that if they be ouerthrovven at leaste vvise from hence forthe, they vvill cease to committe the like sinne agayne. VVe haue to proue the vvorkes of Prophetes. The tree is to be knovven by his fruyte. And that* 2.83 the case of Alexander maye be knovven, of suche as desire it •• he vvas condemned at

Ephesus by Aemilius frontinus, liuetenant, not for his pofession, but for presumpteous and* 2.84 boulde enterprised theft, being a levvd person, and vnder false pretense of Christian profes∣sion, vvherevvith he cloked the mater, seducinge the faythfull of that place: he vvas pardo∣doned and sett at liberty. the congregation vvhereof he vvas pastor, because he vvas a thiefe, vvoulde not admitt him. They that vvill knovve further of his offences, I referre them vnto publicke recordes▪ for by confutinge him, vvhome the prophete hathe not knovven by dvvellinge together many yeares, vve declare vnto the vvorlde by him the stedfastnesse of the prophete. VVe are able to shevve at large the conformity of bothe partes. But if they haue any confident perseuerance, lett them beare the reprehension. Agayne in an other place of the same booke, he wryteth of theyr Prophetes thus: If they deny theyre Prophetes to haue bene bribers, lett them affirme it condicionally that if it be proued: they be no lon∣ger Prophetes. hereof vve are able to alleadge many particular proufes. all the vvorkes of a Prophete are necessarily to be proued. tell me (I beseche you) is it seemely for a Prophete to paynte himselfe in coloures? is it seemly for a Prophete to smothe himselfe vvith the vvhite glisteringe stibium? is it seemly for a Prophete neatly to pyncke and gingerly to sett forthe himselfe? is it seemely for a Prophete to dise and to carde? is it seemely for a Prophete to be an vsurer? let them ansvvere me vvhether these be lavvefull, or vnlavvefull. I vvill proue these to be theyre practises. This Apollonius in the same booke sheweth the time of his wryttinge, to be the fortyeth yeare since Montanus inuented this false, and forged prophecy. Agayne he declareth howe that Zoticus (mentioned before by the former Author) went about at Pepuza, to reprehende, and confute the fayned prophecy of Maximilla, and the spirite which wrought in her: but yet was forbidd by such as fauored her folly. he remembreth one Thraseas a martyr of that time. * 2.85 he declareth as receaued by tradition, that the Lorde commaunded his Apo∣stles not to departe from Ierusalem vntill the twelfe yeares ende. he alleageth testimonyes out of the Reuelation, and reporteth howe that Sainct Iohn raysed at Ephesus, by the deuine power of God, one that was deade to life againe. other thinges he wryteth by the which he hath fully confuted, and ouerthrowen the subtle sleighte of the foresayed heresie, these thinges of Apollonius.

CAP. XVII.

The censure of Serapion byshop of Antioche toutching the Phrygian heresie.

THis Serapion remembred the workes of Apollinarius, where he confuted the sayed he∣resie, who then is sayd to haue succeeded Maximinus in the byshopricke of Antioche. he maketh mention of him in a peculier Epistle vnto Caricus Ponticus where also the sayed* 2.86 heresie is confuted thus: I vvoulde haue you to vnderstande this also, hovve that the opera∣tion of this deceatefull purpose called the nevve prophecy, is impugned, and counted for de∣testable, and cursed doctrine of all the Churches throughout Christendome. I haue sent vnto you the learned vvrytinges of Claudius Apollinarius that holy byshope of Hierapolis in Asia. In this Epistle of Serapion there are subscriptions of many byshops, one subscribeth thus: I Au∣relius Cyrenius martyr vvishe you health. An other thus: Aelius Publius Iulius byshop of De∣beltum a citie of Thracia, as sure as the Lorde liueth in heauen, vvhen as holy Zotas of An∣chia vvoulde haue cast out the deuell vvhich spake in Priscilla, the dissemblinge hypocrites vvoulde not permitt it. And many other byshops gaue the same censure, and subscribed with theyr owne handes to the sayed Epistle. the affayres then went after this forte.

CAP. XVIII.

The Industry of Irenaeus in refutinge the heresies blased at Rome by Blastus and florinus.

I Renaeus wrote diuers Epistles to the confutation of suche as corrupted at Rome the sincere rites of the Churche. he wrote one to Blastus of schisme, an other to Florinus of Monarchie or the rule of one. or she winge that God is not the author of euell. which opinion Florinus

seemed to be of, but afterwardes he being seduced with the error of Ʋalentinus: Irenaeus, wrote against him that booke intitled: ogdoas by interpretation the number of eightie, where he si∣gnifieth himselfe Immediatly to haue succeeded the Apostles. the ende of which booke hathe this notable protestation necessarily to be graffed in this our history for it is read as followeth:* 2.87 I charge thee in the name of our Lorde Iesus Christ, and his glorious comminge, at vvhat time he shall come to iudge the quicke and the dead, vvho so euer thou be that copiest this booke: that thou peruse this copie, and diligently correcte it after the example of my ovvne hande vvrytinge, and that thou putt to likevvise this charge and sett it dovvne after the vvrytten co∣pye. This was profitably spoken and faithfully remembred of vs, that we may behoulde the aunciente and right holy men, as a moste exquisite and right paterne of earnest care and dili∣gence. Againe Irenaeus in his epistle to Florinus, reporteth, that he had conuersation with Po∣lycarpus* 2.88 sayinge: This doctrine (O Florinus) if I may boldly pronounce the trueth, sauoreth not for sounde: this doctrine disagreeth from the Churche, and bringeth such as geue care vn∣to it into extreme impietie: this doctrine no, not the heretickes vvhich vvere out of the Church, euer durste to publishe: this doctrine such as vvere elders before vs, and disciples of the Apostles, neuer deliuered vnto thee. I savve thee vvhen I vvas yet a boye vvith Polycarpus in the lovver Asia, liuinge gorgeously in the Emperoures palace, and busienge thy selfe vvith all might, to be in fauoure and creditt vvith him. For I remember better the thinges of oulde then the affayres of late. For the thinges vve sucke of a childe, sincke farther in our mindes, and grovve together vvith vs. So that I remember the place vvhere Polycarpus sate, vvhen he taughte: his goinge out, and his comminge in: his trade of life, the figure and pro∣portion of his body: the sermon he made vnto the multitude: the reporte he made of his conuersation vvith Iohn and others, vvhich savve the Lorde: hovve he remembred their sa∣ynges, and vvhat he hearde out of theyr mouthes toutching the Lord, of his povver, and do∣ctrine: recitinge preceptes, and all thinges consonante to holy Scripture, out of theyr mou∣thes I say vvho themselues had seene vvith their eyes the vvorde of life in the flesh. these thinges at that time, through the mercy of God vvhich vvrought in me, I diligently marked, and paynted it not in papyr, but printed it in my harte, vvhich continually throughe the grace of God I ponder, and meditate. And I am able to testifie before God, that if that holy and A∣postolicke elder, had hearde any such thinge, he vvoulde haue straight reclaimed, and stop∣ped* 2.89 his eares, and after his maner pronounced: good God into vvvhat times hast thou reser∣ued me, that I shoulde suffer such thinges, yea and vvoulde haue straight shunned the place vvhere he sitting or standing had hearde such speaches. to bee shorte this may be reported for true out of the epistles vvhich he vvrote to the confirmation of the borderinge Churches, or out of the Epistles vvhich he vvrote to certaine brethrē for admonition and exhortation sake. thus farre Irenaeus.

CAP. XIX.

The Church enioyeth peace vnder Commodus: the Martyrdome of* 2.90 Apollonius a Christian Philosopher.

THe same yeare vnder Comodus the Emperoure, the rage of the Gentiles was mitigated towardes vs, so that peace was graunted through the grace of God, vnto the vniuer∣sall Churche through out the worlde. When as the heauenly doctrine leade the mindes of all mortall men to the embracinge of the true Religion of the onely and vniuersall God: so that many of the nobles of Rome brewe neare, to their soules health and saluation, together with their whole houses and families: It was a thinge altogether intollerable for the deuell, whose nature is altogether enuious, and spitefull, therefore he taketh vs in hande againe, and inuenteth diuerse snares to entrape vs in. he procureth at Rome, Apollonius, a man amonge* 2.91 the faythfull of that time, for learninge and philosophie very famous, to be brought forth be∣fore the tribunall seate, raising his accuser among them, that were fitt ministers for so mali∣cious a purpose. But the vnhappie man came out of season to receaue the sentence of iudge∣ment. because it was decreed by the Emperoure, that the accusers of the Christians shoulde dye the death: Perennius the Iudge forthwyth gaue sentence agaynste him, that his

legges shoulde be broken. Then the beloued Martyre when the iudge had earnestly, and with many wordes entreated him to render an accompte of his fayth before the noble senate: he* 2.92 exhibited in the presence of them all a notable Apollogie of his fayth in the whiche he suffred martyrdome. Yet neuerthelesse by decree of the senate he was beheaded and so ended this life. For the auncient decre was of force and preuayled amonge theym, that the Christians whiche were once presented before the tribunall seate and not reuoked their opinions shoulde no more be sette at libertie. Wherefore the wordes of Apollonius whiche he answered to Perenius, stan∣dyng at the barre and his whole Apollogie offered to the senate who lysteth to knowe: lette him reade our booke of Martyrs.

CAP. XX.

Of the succession of Byshopes in the moste famous churches.

IN the tenthe yeare of the raygne of Comodus, when Eleutherius had gouerned the bishop∣ricke of Rome thertene yeares: Victor succeded him. at what tyme also Iulianus after he had continewed tenne yeares, in the bishopes seae of Alexandria, dyed, and Demetrius came in place. at what tyme likewise Serapion, (mentioned a little before) was knowen to be the eyght Bishope of Antioche after the Apostles. Then was Theophilus bishope of Caesarea in Palesti∣na, and Narcissus (before remembred) bishope of Ierusalem, and Banchillus bishope of Co∣rinthe in Hellada, Polycrates bishope of Ephesus, and an infinite number more (as it is verye likelie) besydes these, excelled at that tyme. but we rehearse theim by name and that, iustlye by whose meanes and writinges the catholicke fayth hath bene continewed vnto our tyme.

CAP. XXI.

Of the controuersie about the kepinge of Easter daye.* 2.93

AT the same time there rose no small contention because that all the churches throughoute Asia, of an aunciente tradition, thought good to obserue the highe feaste of Easter in the foreteenthe moone. on whiche daye the Ievves were commaunded to offer their Pascall Lambe. as muche to saye as vpon what daye soeuer in the weeke, that moone fell, the fastinge* 2.94 dayes finished, and ended. when as the other churches throughout the worlde, accustomed not to celebrate Easter after this manner, but obserued the Apostolicke tradition and custome, as yet retayned, to wete: the fastinge dayes on no other daye to be broken vp, afore the daye wherein our Sauiour rose from death to lyfe. Wherefore synodes and meetinges of Byshopes were summoned, where all with one accorde ordained an ecclestasticall decree whiche they pu∣blished by their epistles vnto all churches: That vpon no other then the sondaye the mysterie of our sauiours resurrection shoulde be celebrated. And that one that daye, and no other, the fasting vsed before Easter shoulde haue an ende. Theire epistle is at this daye extant, who at that tyme for this cause assembled together in Palaestina, whereof Theophilus bishope of Caesarea, and Narcissus bishope of Ierusalem were chiefe. At Rome likewise there was a synode gathered to∣gether for the same cause, the whiche Ʋictor their bishope published. Agayne there was an o∣ther of bishopes at Pontus, where Palmas, as the moste auncient, did gouerne. An other of bi∣shops throughout Fraunce whiche Irenaeus did ouersee. to be shorte an other of the bishopes throughout Ostroëna, and the cities therein contained, and speciallye of Banchillus bishope of Corinth with many others, al which with one and the same sentence, and iudgement, ordained the same decree, and their vniforme assent, was thus made manifest vnto the worlde.

CAP. XXII.

By the reporte of Polycrates the churches in Asia celebrated Easter the fouretenthe moone.* 2.95

POlycrates moderated the bishops throughout Asia, whiche affirmed that their aunciente custome deliuered them of olde was to be retayned. This Polycrates in his epistle vn∣to the churche of Rome, sheweth the custome of Asia, obserued vnto his tyme in these wordes: VVe celebrate the vnuiolated daye of Easter, neither addinge anye thinge thereto,

neither takinge oughte therefro. for notable pillers of Christian religion, haue rested in* 2.96 Asia, vvhiche shall rise at the laste daie, vvhen the Lorde shall come from heauen vvith glorie, and restore all the sainctes to ioye: Philip one of the tvvelue Apostles, novve lienge at Hierapolis, & his tvvo daughters vvho kept them selues virgins, all the dayes of their liues, the third also after the ende of hir holie conuersation rested at Ephesus. Againe Iohn vvho laye on the Lordes breast, being a Priest, vvore the priestlie attire, both a Martyr, and a Doctor, slept at Ephesus. Moreouer Polycarpus Bishop of Smyrna, and a Martyr. Thraseas an Eumenian, both a Bishop & a Martyr, slept at Smyrna. VVhat shal I speake of Sagaris both a Bishope & a Martyr, lyenge at Laodicea. And of blessed Papyrius, and Melito an eunuche, vvho vvas ledde and guided in all thinges that he did by the holie ghoste, and novve resteth at Sardis, vvaytinge the message from heauen, vvhen he shall rise from the dead.* 2.97 All these celebrated the feaste of Easter according vnto the Gospell, in the fouretenth daye of the moneth, svvaruing no vvhere, but obseruinge the rule of faith. to be shorte and I Polycrates the meanest of you all, do retaine the tradition of my forefathers, of vvhich some I haue imitated, for there vvere seuen Bishopes before me, and novve I the eighth, vvhich alvvaies haue celebrated the feaste of Easter on that daye, in the vvhich the people remoued the leauen from among them. I therfore (my brethren) vvhich novve haue liued threescore and fiue yeares in the Lorde, haue conferred vvith the bre∣thren throughout the vvorld, haue reade, & ouerreade the holy scriptures, yet vvill not be mo∣ued at al vvith these things, vvhich are made to terrifie vs. for my auncetors & elders haue saied that vve ought rather to obey God then men. Afterwardes he speaketh of the bishops that con∣sented, and subscribed to his epistle, after this maner: I could repeate the bishops vvhich vvere* 2.98 present vvhome you requested me to assemble, vvhome also I haue assembled together, vvhose names if I should vvrite vvould grovve to a greate number: they haue visited me a simple soule, and a man of small accompt, and haue consented vnto this epistle. they also knovve that I beare not this gray heare in vaine, but alvvaies haue had my conuersation in Christ Iesu.

CAP. XXIII.

The censure of certaine byshops toutching this controuersie.

IMmediately vpon this, Victor Bishope of Rome, goeth aboute to seuer from the vnitie in the communion, all the churches of Asia together with the adioyning congregations, as sauoring not aright, and iuueyeth againste them in his epistles, & pronounceth flattly, all the brethren there for excōmunicated persons. but this pleased not al the bishops, for they exhorted him to seke after those thinges which concerned peace, and vnitie, and loue betwene brethren. * 2.99 Their words are at this daye extant that sharpely reprehended Ʋictor, of which number, Irenaeus, in the name of all the brethren in Fraunce that were vnder his charge, wrote and allowed the same sentence, to wete: The mysterie of the resurrection of our Sauiour to be celebrated on the sondaye onely. Yet as it was very meete he put him in remembrance at large of his dutie that he shoulde not e∣straynge or cut of all the churches of God, whiche retayned the tradition of olde custome. his wordes are these: Nether is this controuersie onely of the daye, but also of the kinde or maner of fasting. Some thinke they ought to faste one daye, some tvvo, some more, some fortie, and tel∣ling the houres throughout day and nyght they counte a daye. nether beganne this varietie of fa∣stinge in our tyme, but longe before, through them vvho then bare rule, and as it is very likelye, through their double negligence, they despised and altered the simple and common custome retayned of olde. yet for all this vvere they at vnitie one vvith an other, and as yet vve retayne it, for this varietie of fastinge commendeth the vnitie of fayth. After this he adioyneth a certeine hi∣storie, whiche I will alleage as peculierly incident to this place▪ They (sayeth he) that vvere bi∣shops before Soter, of that sea vvhich novve thou gouernest, I meane▪ Anicetus, Pius, Hyginus, Telesphorus and Xystus, nether did they so obserue it them selues, nether did they publishe anye suche president vnto the posteritie, & for all that, they (though not obseruing the same custome) vvere at vnitie neuerthelesse vvith them, vvhich resorted vnto them from other churches, and did not obserue the same, although their obseruation vvas contrary to the mindes of suche as obser∣ued it not. nether vvas the like euer heard of, that any man, for suche kind of fasting vvas excō∣municated. yea the bishopes them selues vvhich vvere thy predecessours, haue sent the Eucharist vnto the brethren of other churches, that obserued a contrary custome. And Polycarpus beinge

at Rome, in the tyme of Anicetus, they both varied among them selues about trifling matters, yet vvere they soone recōciled, & not a vvord of this matter. Neither vvas Anicetus able to persvvade Polycarpus that he should not retaine that, vvhich he had alvvaies obserued, vvith Iohn the disci∣ple of our Lord, & the rest of the Apostles, vvith vvhome he had bene cōuersant: neither did Po∣lycarpus persvvade Anicetus, to obserue it, but told him, that he ought to obserue the aunciēt cu∣stome of the elders, vvhome he succeeded. These thinges being at this poynt, they cōmunicated one vvith an other. & in the churche* 2.100 Anicetus graunted the Eucharist vnto Polycarpus, for reue∣rēce he ovved vnto him. in the end they parted, one from an other in peace. and al such as retay∣ned cōtrary obseruations throughout the vvhole vniuersal churche, held faste the bonde of loue & vnitie. Thus Irenaeus not degenerating from the etymologie of his name, passing all other in y^e gyft of reconciling the brethren practised for the ecclesiasticall peace. he wrote not only to Victor, but also to sundrye gouernours of diuers other churches, in seuerall epistles, concerninge the sayde controuersie.

CAP. XXIIII.

The censure of the Bishops in Palaestina toutching the saide controuersie of Easter, the repetition of the bookes of certaine ecclesiasticall writers.

THe bishops of Palaestina (mentioned a little before) Narcissus, Theophilus & with thē Cassius* 2.101 bishope of Tyrus, and Clarus bishop of Ptolomais, together with other bishops in their cō∣pany, when they had reasoned at large toutching the celebration of Easter, & the tradition deliuered vnto thē by succession from y^e Apostles, in the end of their epistle they write thus: Sende* 2.102 out vvith speede the copies of our epistle throughout the parishes that vve be not charged vvith their errour, vvhich easily are brought to snare euē their ovvne soules. vve signifie vnto you that at Alexādria, they celebrate the feast of Easter vpon the selfe same day vvith vs. their epistles are brought vnto vs & ours vnto thē that vve may vniformely & together solemnize this holy feast. Besides these alleaged, & trāslated letters, & epistles of Irenaeus, there is extāt an other boke of his very learned and necessary against the gentiles, intituled of Science or knovvledge. an other vnto Marcianus his brother intituled A declaration of the Apostles preaching. & an other booke of di∣uers tracts▪ where he maketh mētion of the epistle vnto y^• Hebrevves, & the booke of VVisdome, called Solomons: whence he alleageth testimonies. these are the workes of Irenaeus which came to our knowledge. whē Comodus had bene Emperour. xiii. yeares, & Pertinax after him not fully the space of six moneths: Seuerus succeeded him in the empire. there are reserued at this day in many places many notable workes of diuers ecclesiasticall persons, whereof these came to our handes. the cōmentaries of Heraclitus vpō Paul. Maximus of y^• common question in hereticks mouthes: vvhence euill proceedeth: and that this substance vvas made. Candidus of the creation of vvorke of the sixe dayes. Appion of the same argument. Sixtus of the resurrection, and a certein tracte of Arabianus, with a thousande mo. all whiche writers, time doth not permitte, neither is it possible to publishe them in this our history because they minister no occasion to make mention of them.

CAP. XXV.

Of suche as from the beginning impugned the heresie of Artemon, the behauiour of* 2.103 the hereticke and his presumption in reiecting and corrupting the scriptures.

AMong these bookes there is found a volume written against the heresie of Artemon▪ which Paulus Samosatenus in our daies endeuored to reuiue: wherin is cōtained ah history worthy to be published, among these our histories, diuersly & from euery where collected▪ whē this* 2.104 boke had cōfuted y^• said presūptuous heresy, which affirmed Christ to be a b••••e & naked mā, & that the authors therof had gloried of it, as an auncient opiniō after many lynes, & leaues, to the cōfu∣••acion of this blasphemous vntrueth, he writeth thus: They affirme that all our aun••••••ours▪ yea and the Apostles them selues vvere of that opinion, and taughte the same vvith them, and that* 2.105 this their true doctrine (for so they call it) vvas preached & embraced vnto the time of Victor the thirtenth bishop of Rome, after Peter, & corrupted by his successour Zephyrinus. this peraduen∣ture might seeme to haue some likelyhoode of trueth, vnlesse firste of all, the holy scriptures re∣clamed, next the bokes of sūdry mē, lōg before the time of Victor, vvhich they published against the gentiles, in the defence of the trueth, & in the confutation of the hereticall opinions of their time. I meane Iustinus, Meltiades, Tatianus, and Clemens, vvith many others in all vvhich Christ is preached and published to be God. VVho knovveth not that the vvoorkes of Irenaus,

Melito and all other Christians do confesse Christ to be both God and man? to be shorte hovve many psalmes and hymnes, and Canticles, vvere vvritten from the beginninge, by the faythfull Christians, vvhich ••ounde and singe Christ the vvorde of God, for no other then God in deede? hovv then is it possible accordinge vnto their report, that our auncetors vnto the time of Victor, should haue preached so? vvhen as the ecclesiasticall censure, for so many yeares is pronounced for certeine, and knovven vnto all the vvorlde. and hovve can they chuse but be ashamed, thus* 2.106 vntruely to reporte of Victor, vvhen as they knovve for suretie that Victor excommunicated The∣odotus a tanner, the father and founder of this Apostasie, vvhich denyed the diuinitie of Christ? because that he firste affirmed Christ to be but onely man. if Ʋictor (as they reporte) had bene of their blasphemous opinion, hovv then could he haue excōmunicated Theodotus, the author of that heresie. but Victor was thus affectionated. when he had gouerned y^• ecclesiasticall function* 2.107 the space of tenne yeares Zephyrinus succeeded him, about the tenth yere of the raigne of Seuerus. The same author which wrote the aforesaid booke against the founder of this heresie, declareth a certeine historie that was done in the time of Zepherinus after this maner. Therfore to the ende I may aduertise diuerse of the brethren, I vvil rehearse a certaine historie of our time, vvhiche as I suppose if it had bene in Sodome, they vvold haue fallen to repentāce. There vvas one Natalius, vvho not lōg before, but euē in our time becam a cōfessor. this Natalius vvas on a tyme seduced by Asclepiodotus, & an other Theodotus an exchaūger, they both vvere disciples of Theodotus the tāner, vvho thē being author of this blasphemous opiniō (as I sayd before) vvas excōmunicated by Victor bishop of Rome. for Natalius vvas persvvaded by thē for a certeine hire, & revvarde, to be called a bishop of this heretical opiniō, to vvete: a hūdreth & fifty pēce, monethly to be payd him. Novv he being thus linked vnto thē, the Lord vvarned him oft by visions. for God and our Lord Iesus Christ full of mercy & compassion, vvold not that the vvitnesse of his passiōs, should perishe vvithout the churche. & for that he vvas altogether carelesse, & negligēt in marking the visions frō aboue being novv as it vvere hooked vvith the svveete baites of primacie, & honour, & filthy lucre, vvherby thousands do perishe: at lēgth he vvas scurged by an Angel of the Lord.* 2.108 & for the space of a vvhole nyght chasticed not a little, so that vvhen he rose earely in the mor∣ning couered in sackcloth, & sprinckled in ashes, vvith much vvoe, & many teares, he fel dovvn flatte before the feete of Zephyrinus bishope of Rome, not after the manner of a cleargie man, but of the laye people, beseaching the churche (prone alvvayes to compassion) vvith vvatrishe eyes, and vvette cheekes, for the mercie of Christ, to tender and pitie his miserable case, so that vsinge many petitions, and shevvinge in his bodie the printe of the plaguye stripes, after muche adoe he vvas receaued vnto the communion. We thinke best to adde vnto these other relations of the same author, for thus he writeth. They corrupted the holye & sacred scriptures, vvithout* 2.109 any reuerence: they reiected the canon of the auncient faith: they haue bene ignorant of Christ: not searching vvhat the holie scriptures affirmed, but exercisinge them selues therein, & siftinge it to this ende: that some figure or forme of a syllogisme myght be founde to impugne the di∣uinitie of Christ: and if any reasoned vvith them out of holie scripture, forthvvith they demaund vvhether it be a coniuncte, or a simple kinde of syllogisme. layenge asyde holye scripture, they practise Geometrie, as beynge of the earth they speake earthlye and knovve not him vvhiche came frome aboue. Euclides amonge a greate many of them measureth the earth busielie. Ari∣stotle* 2.110 and Theophrastus are hyghlye esteemed. Galen is of diuerse vvorshipped. but vvhat shall I saye of these, vvho (beynge farre from the fayth) abuse the arte of infidels to the establyshinge of theyr hereticall opinion, and corrupt the simplicitie of holy scripture, through the subtle craft of sinfull persons? for to this purpose they put their prophane handes to holie scripture, sayinge: they vvolde correcte them. and that I reporte not this vntruely of them, or parciallie agaynste them, if any man please he may easily knovve it. for if any vvill peruse their copies, and conferre one vvith an other, he shall finde in them great contrariety. The bookes of Asclepiades agree not vvith them of Theodotus. there is found betvvene them great difference, for their disciples vvrote obscurely such things as their masters had ambiciously corrected. againe vvith these the copies Hermophilus do not consent. neither are the copies of Apollonius at concord among thē selues. if their alligatiōs be cōferred vvith their trāslatiōs, & alteratiōs, there shalbe found great diuersity.* 2.111 belike they are altogether ignorāt vvhat presumptiō is practised in this levvd fact of theirs. ether they persvvade them selues, that the holie scriptures vvere not endited by the instinct of the holy ghost, & so are they infidels: or else they thinke thē selues vviser thē the holy ghost, & vvhat other

thing do they in that, then shevv thē selues possessed of a deuill? they cā not deny this their bold enterprise, for they haue vvrittē these things vvith their ovvne hands. they can not shevv vs vvho instructed them, vvho deliuered them such scriptures, & vvhence they trāslated their copie•• di∣uerse of them voutchsafe not to corrupt the scriptures, but flattly they denie the lavve, and the prophetes, vnder pretense of their detestable, and impious doctrine of fayned grace, they fall into the bottomlesse gulfe of perdition. but of them thus muche shall suffice.

The ende of the fyft booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Eleutherius▪ b. of Rome. Anno Do∣mini. 179.
• * 2.1

  The epistle of the french mē vnto the Churches of Asia, & Phry∣gia.
• * 2.2

  Rom. ••.
• * 2.3

  Vegetius E∣pagathus martyred. Luke. 1.
• * 2.4

  Tenne fell in persecution.
• * 2.5

  Sclaunders raised against the Christiās.
• * 2.6

  Iohn. 16.
• * 2.7

  Sanctus a Deacon. Maturus a late conuert.
• * 2.8

  Blandina a woman. 1. Corinth. 1.
• * 2.9

  Blandina sheweth great paciēce in her tor∣mentes. Blandina cō∣fesseth her selfe to be a Christian. Sanctus she∣weth greate pacience.
• * 2.10

  Sanctus con∣fesseth him selfe a Chri∣stian.
• * 2.11

  A notable saynge of Sanctus.
• * 2.12

  Biblis a wo∣mā pitiously tormented.
• * 2.13

  Many of the Martyrs died in pryson.
• * 2.14

  Pothinus. b. of lyons after great tor∣ments is cast into pryson where after 2. dayes he departeh this life.
• * 2.15

  A compari∣son or diffe∣rence be∣twene such as faynted & such as con∣tinwed faythfull in persecution.
• * 2.16

  Maturus and Sanctus be∣headed.
• * 2.17

  Blandina han¦ged in gib∣bets so lowe, that the wild beasts might reache her.
• * 2.18

  Blandina is cast into pri∣son.
• * 2.19

  Attalus brought forth & clapt in prison.
• * 2.20

  Many that fell repented them againe. Ezech. 16.
• * 2.21

  Alexander a Phisician cō∣forteth the martyrs.
• * 2.22

  Alexander torne in pee∣ces of wilde beastes.
• * 2.23

  Attalus fryed to death.
• * 2.24

  Ponticus of the yeares of 15. martyred.
• * 2.25

  Blandina be∣headed.
• * 2.26

  Apocalyp. 22.
• * 2.27

  Deade carka¦ses throwne vnto dogges
• * 2.28

  The ashes of the bur∣ned bodyes were throwē into the riuer Rhodanus to take away the hope of the resurre∣ction.
• * 2.29

  The French men write thus of their martyrs. Philip. 2.
• * 2.30

  The suffring of Christ is rather to be termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 redemption. 1. Pet. 1. then 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 mar¦tyrdome. Who be mar¦tyrs and who confessors.
• * 2.31

  1. Pet. 5.
• * 2.32

  Act. 7.
• * 2.33

  They re∣ceaue after re¦pentāce such as fell in per∣secution.
• * 2.34

  The French∣men in their foresayd epi¦stle writ thu•• also of Alci∣biades.
• * 2.35

  Montanus Theodotus and Alcibia∣des (not the former) false prophets.
• * 2.36

  The Martyrs in Fraunce to Eleutheri{us} b. of Rome in the com∣mendation of Irenaeus b. of Lions.
• * 2.37

  Eusebius wrote a boke of Martyrs, which is not extant.
• * 2.38

  Marcus Au∣relius the bro¦ther of An∣toninus.
• * 2.39

  The Christi∣an souldiers doe pray for rayne, imme∣diatly it ligh∣tened & ray∣ned.
• * 2.40

  The lighte∣ning legion.
• * 2.41

  Tertullian in Apolog••••.
• * 2.42

  Irenaeus who in his youth was the auditor of Polycarp{us} succeedeth Pothinus in the Bishoprik of Lyons in Fraunce.
• * 2.43

  Irenaeus lib. 3 cap. 3. 2. Timoth. 4. Paul. Peter. Linus. Anacletus. Clemens. Euarestus. Alexander. Xystus. Telesphorus Hyginus. Pius. Anicetus. Soter. Eleutherius.
• * 2.44

  Irenaeus lib. 2 cap. 57.
• * 2.45

  Irenaeus lib. 2 cap. 58.
• * 2.46

  Irenaeus lib. ••
• * 2.47

  Irenaeus lib. 3 cap. 1. Matthewe. Marcke. Luke. Iohn.
• * 2.48

  Irenaeus lib. 5
• * 2.49

  VVhen the reuelation of Sainct Iohn was first sene
• * 2.50

  Irenaeus allea geth pastor lib. 2. mādat. 1.
• * 2.51

  Marcion. Irenaeus lib. 3 cap. 23. 24. Esay 7. Theodotiō. Aqnila. Irenaeus lib. 3 cap. 25.
• * 2.52

  The septua∣gints.
• * 2.53

  Comodus succeeded Antoninus, Anno Domi 1826. Agrippin{us} b. of Alexan∣dria. Iulianus b. of Alex. Pantaen{us} mo derated the schole of A∣lex. Euangelistes.
• * 2.54

  Cap. 10. af∣ter the greke. The Gospell of Matthewe in Hebrew at India. Bartholo∣mew prea∣ched in India Cap. 11. after the Greeke.
• * 2.55

  Clemens. Alexandrin{us} lib. 1. Stro∣matôn.
• * 2.56

  Cap. 12. after the greeke.
• * 2.57

  Narcissus. b. of Ierusalem Marcus. Cassianus. Publius. Maximus. Iulianus. Caius. Symachus. Caius. Iulianus. Capito. Valens. Dolichianus Narcissus. Cap. 13. after the Greeke.
• * 2.58

  Rhodon an Asian. Apelles. Philumaena. Marcion. Pontinus. Basilicus. Lycus.
• * 2.59

  Synerus. Rhodon re∣porteth of the disputati on betwene him and A∣pelles.
• * 2.60

  Rhodon in Hexameron. Apelles the Hereticke wrote infinit bookes.
• * 2.61

  Cap. 14. after the greeke.
• * 2.62

  Montanus. Priscilla. Maximilla.
• * 2.63

  Cap. 15. af∣ter the greke Florinus. Blastus. cap. 16. after the greeke
• * 2.64

  Apollinarius b. of Hiera∣polis tout∣ching Mon∣tanus & his originall.
• * 2.65

  Apollinarius disputed and cōfuted Mō∣tan{us} figmēts at Ancyra in Galatia. Zoticus O∣trenus.
• * 2.66

  Ardabau. Montanus.
• * 2.67

  Matth. 24.
• * 2.68

  2. womē the prophetisses of Montan{us}.
• * 2.69

  The Chur∣ches, the sy∣nodes & faith full of Asia▪ condemned Montanus. Apollinarius of the endes of the false prophets
• * 2.70

  Montanus & Maximilla hanged them selues.
• * 2.71

  Theodotus the hereticke flying vp, broke his necke.
• * 2.72

  Apollinarius of the salse prophecies of the Mon∣tanists.
• * 2.73

  Apollinarius lib. 3.
• * 2.74

  Not the death but the cause of it proueth a Martyr.
• * 2.75

  Cap. 17. after the greeke.
• * 2.76

  Apollinari∣us out of Mil¦tiades works alleadgeth this.
• * 2.77

  Agabus. Iude. The daug∣hters of Philip. Aminias. Quadratus.
• * 2.78

  Miltiades bookes.
• * 2.79

  Cap. 18. after the greeke.
• * 2.80

  Apollonius against the Montanistes.
• * 2.81

  The prophe∣tisses of Mon tanus re∣ceaue gifts. Themison a montanist with money deliuered himself from pryson.
• * 2.82

  Alexander a thief yet a martyr of Montanus secte. Math, 10. Luk. 9.
• * 2.83

  Math. 7.
• * 2.84

  Stibium is a white stone founde in sil∣uer mines by rubbinge the skinne it maketh it looke very faire. Thraseas a martyr.
• * 2.85

  This tradi∣tion first is to be suspected for that christ (Matth. 28. Marc. 16.) commaūded the Apostles to passe throughout the worlde & to preache the Gospell. secondly for that he char∣ged them (Luc. 24. Act. 1.) to tary in Ie∣rusalem but vntill they were endued with power from an high which was fifty dayes after the a∣scention. Cap. 19. after the Greeke.
• * 2.86

  Serapion byshop of Antioch Epist. ad Cari cum ponticū
• * 2.87

  Cap. 20. after the Greke. Irenaeus lib. de Ogdoade which is not extant.
• * 2.88

  Irenaeus vn∣to Florinus the schisma∣ticke. Florinus a courtier then a schismatick last an here∣ticke.
• * 2.89

  Polycarpus vsed oft to re peate this saying.
• * 2.90

  Cap. 21. after the Greeke.
• * 2.91

  The accuser of Apollo∣nius with the breaking of his legges died misera∣bly.
• * 2.92

  Apollonius a Christian philosopher exhibited an Apollogie vnto the se∣nate of Rome, and afterwards is beheaded. A cruell law. Cap. 22. after the Greeke. Anno Dom. 192. all these bishops flo∣rished at one tyme. Victor. b. of Rome. Demetrius. Serapion. Theophilus. Narcissus. Banchillus. Polycrates.
• * 2.93

  Cap. 23. after the greeke. Anno Dom. 199. Exod. 12.
• * 2.94

  Easter & the fasting dayes going before layde downe by decree. Theophilus & Narcissus were chiefe in Palaestina: Victor at Ro. Palmas a•• Pōtus: Irenae us in Fraūce: The bishops of Ostroëna in their pro∣uinces: Ban∣chillus at Co¦rinth & not the bishope of Rome o∣uer all.
• * 2.95

  cap. 24. after the greeke
• * 2.96

  Polycrates byshope of Ephesus wri∣teth to Vi∣ctor and the churche of Rome. Iohn the A∣postle being a priest wore the priestly attyre.
• * 2.97

  Cap. 25. af∣ter the greke
• * 2.98

  Act. 4.
• * 2.99

  Ca. 26. after the Greeke. where then was the say∣ing that the bishope of Rome muste iudge all and be iudged of none? Irenaeus bi∣shop of Liōs. Victor bi∣shop of Rome.
• * 2.100

  Ruffinus trāslatīg these wordes vn∣derstandeth that Anice∣tus graunted the ministra∣tiō of the cō∣munion vnto Polycarpus, which is very like to be true. Irenaeus signi¦fieth a peace maker.
• * 2.101

  Cap. 27. after the greeke.
• * 2.102

  The prouin∣ciall councel held at Pale∣stina write thus vnto the prouince throughout. Certaine workes of Irenaeus. Comodus was emperor 13. yeares. Pertinax 6. moneths. Seuerus crea¦ted emperor anno Dom. 195. vnder this Seuerus the 5. greate persecution was raysed.
• * 2.103

  Cap. 28. after the Greeke.
• * 2.104

  The opinion of Artemon the hereticke▪
• * 2.105

  An auncient writer (as I suppose Maximus) in the confuta∣tion of the sect of Arte∣mon.
• * 2.106

  Theodotus a tanner and an hereticke.
• * 2.107

  Zephyrinus b. of Rome. Anno Dom. 203. A worthy historie of Natalius an hereticall bi∣shope repen∣ting him selfe
• * 2.108

  God sendeth his Angell to scourge by night.
• * 2.109

  The practises of the hereti∣call secte of Artemon.
• * 2.110

  Euclides. Aristotle. Theophrast▪ Galen. Heretickes presume to correct, alter & trāslate ho¦ly scripture.
• * 2.111

  A notable dilemma.