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 SIXT BOOKE OF THE EC∣CLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF EVSEBIVS PAMPHILVS BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN PALAESTINA. (Book 6)

CAP. I.

Of the persecution vnder the Emperour Seuerus.

WHen as Seuerus persecuted the churche of God, there were noble martyrdomes of* 1.1 suche as suffered for the profession of the true faith▪ but speciallye at Alexandria, whither chosen champions out of Aegypt, and all Thebais, as vnto a moste notable Theatre of God, were brought, and after a moste pacient sufferance of simdry tor∣mentes, and diuerse kindes of deathe, were crowned of God with garlandes of im∣mortalltie. Of this number was Leonides called the father of Origen, and there beheaded, who left* 1.2 his sonne very yonge, and of tender yeares. howe also he was disposed, and affected towardes Christian religion from that tyme forth, it shall not be at this tyme vnseasonably written. Speci∣ally for that he is famous and renowned throughout the whole worlde. Some man will saye it is no small peece of worke to printe in paper the lyfe of this man, and that it will require a whole* 1.3 volume to it selfe: but at this present cutting of many things, vsing as muche breuitie as may be, we will runne ouer certaine thinges which concerne him, selected out of their epistles and histo∣ries, which were his familiars, whereof some lyued in our tyme, and reported certaine things of him. To be short we will declare suche things as shall seeme worthye of memorie, and that were done from his cradell vnto this tyme. Seuerus then had ended tenne yeares, Laetus then gouerned Alexandria, and the rest of Aegypte▪ Demetrius lately after Iulianus had taken vpon him the ouer∣sight of the congregations there.

CAP. II.

Origen desirous of Martyrdome was in greate daunger, and beyng delyuered, he professed diuinitie at Alexandria with earnest studie, and led a maruaylous honest lyfe.

THe heate of persecution was very vehemēt, & an infinite number of persons were crowned with Martyrdome: when as Origen yet verye yonge, bare in his minde a feruent desire of Martirdome, so that he hazarded himselfe, skipped, and brake forth, and coueted volunta∣rily to be doyng in that daungerous combatt. * 1.4 Yea narrowsie did he escape, for it had coste him his life, had not the diuine and celestiall prouidence of God stayed him, by the meanes of his mo∣ther, to the further commoditie and profite of many. She at the firste entreated him with manye* 1.5 wordes to tender hir motherly affection: but perceauing him to be more vehemently incensed and kindled▪ knowing his father to be kept in close prison, and wholly minded to suffer Martyrdome, she constrayned him to remaine at home, hydinge from him all his apparrell. He then being able to do no other thinge, more prompte in minde than rype in yeares, could not reste, wrote vnto his father a letter, in the whiche he exhorteth him thus: O father, faynt not, neither imagin•• amisse

bicause of vs. Let this be the firste token of the industrie and syncere minde of Origen in his child∣hood towards christian religiō set forth in this our history▪ for he beyng of a child trained vp & ex∣ercised in holy scripture, shewed then no small signes of the doctrine of faith. his father furthered him not a little to the knowledge of them, when as besides the studie of liberall artes, he instru∣cted him in these, not as the lesser parte. For first of all before the exercise of prophane literature, he instructed him in holy Scripture, and demaunded of him daily a certaine taske, of that he lear∣ned and rehearsed. And this trade was not vnprofitable for him being a child, but he grewe therby vnto such facility and promptnes, that he contented not him selfe with the bare and casual reading of the words, but sought farther, searching the perfect and profound vnderstanding therof, so that diuers times he would set his father demaunding of him what was meant by this & that place of holy Scripture. But his father checked him to his face in outward sight, admonishing him not to search ought aboue the capacity of his yeares, & more then plaine letter gaue to vnderstand. Yet to him selfe he reioyced greatly, yelding vnto God the author of all goodnes harty thankes, for that he had made him the father of such a sonne. The report goeth that the father often vncouered the breast of his sonne in his sleepe, and solemnly kissed it as if the holy ghost had taken there the inner parte for his priuy closset, and thought him selfe happy of such an ofspringe. These and the like thinges they remember to haue happened vnto Origen, being yet a childe. When his father dyed a Martyr, he was left an orphane of the yeares of seuenteene with his mother, and other children his brethren, to the number of six, his father•• substance was confiscated to y^• Emperours treasorie, y^• want of necessaries pinched him together with his mother & brethren, he casteth his* 1.6 care vpon the diuine prouidence of God, he is receaued and refreshed of a certain matrone which was very ritch & also religious, which harbored in her house a certaine man of Antioche, an er∣rant heretike of the sect then fresh at Alexandria, one that was accepted of her, for her sonne and deare friende. Origen then of necessitie vsing his company, shewed forth manifest proofes of his cleaning fast vnto y^• right and true faith. For when as an infinite multitude not only of heretikes, but also of the true faith frequented vnto Paulus (so was he called) for he was counted a profounde and a wise man: he could not be perswaded to be present with him at prayers, but obserued the ca∣non of the Church from a childe, and detested▪ (as he witnesseth him selfe in a certaine place) the* 1.7 doctrine of heretikes. he was of his father absolutely instructed in the profane learning of y^• Gen∣tils, but after his fathers death, he applied a litle more diligently the study of rhetoricke, and ha∣uing before meanely applied humanity, now after the death of his father he so addicteth him vnto it, that in short space he got sufficiency to serue his turne, both tollerable for the time, & correspon∣dent to his yeares. for he being idle at schole (as he him selfe in a certaine place reporteth) when as none occupied the rowme of Catechizing at Alexandria, because that euery one was fayne to flye away by reason of the threatning thunderbolts of persecution, diuers of the Gentils came to him, to heare the preaching of the word of God. whereof he sayth the first to haue bene Plutarch,* 1.8 who besides that he liued well, was crowned with martyrdome. The seconde was Heraclas y^• bro∣ther of Plutarch, who after he had profited very much, and sucked at his lippes, the iuyce of chri∣stian religion and heauenly philosophy: succeeded Demetrius in the bishopricke of Alexandria. Origen went nowe on y^• eyghtenth yeare when he catechized in the schoole of Alexandria, at what time he happely prospered whilest that vnder Aquila Lieuetenant of Alexandria, in the heate of persecution he purchased vnto him selfe a famous opinion among all y^• faithful, in that he cheare∣fully embraced all the martyrs, not only of his acquaintance, but such as were vnto him vnknow∣en. he visited not only such as were fettered in deepe dungeons, & close imprisonmēt: neither only such as looked for the last sentence of execution, but after iudgment geuen & sentence pronounced he was present with the martyrs, boldly accompanying them to y^• place of execution, putting him selfe in great peril, oftentimes boldly embracing, kissing & saluting them, so that once the furious rage of the fonde multitude of the Gentiles, had stoned him to deathe if the diuine power of God, had not maruelously deliuered him. y^• same diuine & celestial grace of God at other times againe & againe, so oft as can not be told, defended him, being assaulted of the aduersaryes, because of his noble hardines & prompt mind to publish the doctrine of Christ. so extremely was he dealt with∣all of the Infidels, that souldiers were commaunded to watch his house in compasse, for the ba∣nishing of the multitude that came to be instructed of him, in the Christian faythe. The persecu∣tion daily preuailed and was so vehemently bent against him, that he could no where passe safely throughout Alexandria, but often chaūging lodging••, he was from euery where pursued, bicause

of the multitude which frequented vnto him for instructions sake. for his workes expressed moste* 1.9 notable rules of the most true & christian philosophie. they say, as he taught so he liued, and as he liued so he taught. Wherfore the diuine power of God specially preuayling with him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 infinite number were sturred vp by his zeale. when he perceaued many Disciples to frequent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to him, & that the charge of the schoole was now by Demetrius the Bishop, committed vnto him alone, he supposed the reading of humanitie to be out of season, and transformeth the schoole as altogether vnprofitable by reason of profane literature & humanitie opposite vnto sacred letters, to the exer∣cise of godly discipline. againe after good aduise taken for necessary prouision he soulde the pro∣fane writers which he had diligently perused, & lay by him, enioyning the buyer, to pay him daily* 1.10 foure halfepence of the set price, wherwith he contented him selfe. & this philosophicall trade con∣tinewed he y^• space of many yeares, cutting of from him self all occasion of youthly concupiscence▪ for throughout the whole day he tooke no small labor in this godly exercise, & the greater part of the night also he spent in meditating of holy Scripture, and in his philosophicall life, as much as lay in him, he vsed fasting, taking his reste at certayne temperate tymes of the yeare, not on his bedde, but very warely on y^• bare ground. specially aboue al other places, he supposed y^• sayings of our Sauiour in the Gospell to be obserued, which exhorted vs not to weare two coates, neyther shoes, neither to care for the time to come with a greedy, or couetous desire. for he endured colde and nakednesse more chearefully then became his yeares, & suffered such extreame neede & neces∣sitie, which greatly amazed his familier friends, & offended many that willingly woulde haue sup∣plied his want and necessity, for the paynfulnes they sawe him take, in setting forth the heauenly doctrine of Christ Iesus our Sauiour. but he being geuen to pacient sufferance, passed many yea∣res without the wearing of shoes, ioyning naked foote to bare grounde. and he is sayde moreouer for the space of many yeares, to haue abstained from wine, & other such like (necessary sustenance onely excepted) so that he ranne in great danger, lest that through weakenes of lymmes, & faynt∣nesse of body, he shoulde destroy & cast away him selfe. this philosophicall trade of life being won∣dred* 1.11 at of others, stirred vp a great many Disciples, to imitate the like trade and study. so that of the faythfull & vnfaithfull, of the learned and wise, & the same not of the meaner sort, a great num∣ber became zelous and earnest followers after his doctrine. in so much that the heauenly worde of God taking deepe roote in their faythfull mindes, florished and continewed stedfastly during the persecution of that time, so that some of them were apprehended and suffered martyrdome.

CAP. III.

Of the martyrs that suffered out of the schoole of Origen.* 1.12

THe first of them was Plutarchus remembred a litle before. whome Origen accompanied to the place of execution, not without great danger of his life, when as his owne citizens went about to practise violence towards him, as being author of Plutarchus death. yet the wise∣dome of God deliuered him then. The next of the disciples of Origen after Plutarchus, was Sere∣nus, who is sayd to be the seconde Martyr which gaue triall and proofe of the faith he receaued, &* 1.13 that by fire. The third Martyr out of the same schoole was Heraclides, the fourth after him Heron. of the which two latter, the first was a Catechumenist, the second lately baptized, but both behea∣ded▪ as yet out of the same schoole came forth the fift champion, a seconde Serenus, who after paci∣ence in great torments and greeuous payne, was beheaded. and of the women also, Rhais, as yet a Catechumenist, baptized (as Origen him selfe reporteth) in fire, departed this life.

CAP. IIII.

The martyrdome of Potamiaena a virgine, Marcella her mother, and Basilides a souldier.

BAsilides shalbe numbred the seuenth among the former Martyrs, which led forth the renow∣med virgine Potamiaena to execution, of whome vnto this day a great fame is blased abroade among the inhabitants of that prouince, how that for the chastitie of her body and puritie of minde, she stroue very stoutly with her louers. she was endued with ripenes of mind, and goodly bewty of body. when she had suffered infinitely for the faythe of Christ, last of all after great and* 1.14 greeuous, and dreadfull, and terrible torments to be tould of, together with her mother Marcella,

she is burned with fire and consumed to ashes▪ the report goeth that Aquila the iudge commaun∣ded her whole body to be scurged ouer, and that very sore, and threatned her, he woulde deliuer her body shamefully to be abused of Fencers and ruffians: and after she had muzed a while with her selfe, and they demaunding an answere, to haue sayd such thinges as pleased not the Gentiles, and therefore immediatly after sentence pronounced, to haue bene taken and ledd of Basilides (a souldier of authority among the hoast) to execution. When the multitude molested her sore, spite∣fully handling her with opprobrious termes: Basilides repressed and rebuked their rayling spea∣ches, pytying her very much, and practising great curtesie towardes her. she of the other side ap∣proued and acknowledged his curteous dealing towards her, and bad him be of good cheere, say∣ing: that after her departure she woulde entreate her Lorde for him, and shortly requite the cur∣tesie shewed vnto her. When she had ended this communication, pitche scalding hott was powred by a litle and a litle ouer all her body, from the crowne of her heade to the soule of her foote, the which she manfully endured in the Lorde, and such was the sore combatt which this worthy vir∣gine sustayned. but not long after, Basilides being required of his fellowe souldiers to sweare for* 1.15 some occasion or other, affirmed plainely it was not lawfull for him to sweare, for he sayd he was a Christian, and that he woulde in very deede protest the same. at the first he was thought to daly, but when he constantly auoutched it, he is brought before the iudge, and there hauing confessed the same, is clapt in prison. but when the brethren had visited him, & demaunded of him the cause of his sodaine and maruelous alteration, the report goeth he declared them how that Potamiaena three daies after her martirdome, appeared vnto him by night, & couered his head with a crowne and sayd: she had entreated the Lorde for him, and obtayned her purpose, and that not long after* 1.16 he shoulde ende this life. after these sayinges, and the seale of the Lorde receaued by the brethren he was beheaded, and so suffered martyrdome. they write that many others in Alexandria, embra∣ced plentifully the doctrine of Christ, for that Potamiaena appeared vnto them in sleepe, & called them to the fayth. of these thinges thus much.

The translator vnto the reader, for the remouing of suspicion rising of two thinges which Eusebius layd downe in the chapiter going before.

THere are two things in this former chapiter of Eusebius with good aduisement to be considered. The first whether Potamiaena after her martyrdome prayed for Basilides. the second whether after her martirdome she appeared vnto him, & to others, as Eusebius (by heare say) laieth downe. Toutching the first if we may credit Augustine: The soules of the departed are in such a place vvhere they see not* 1.17 those thinges vvhich are done, & vvhich happen vnto men in this life, he sayth further that they haue a care ouer vs, as we haue ouer them, although vve are altogether ignorant vvhat they doe. Peter Martyrs opinion, is this: although I could easily graunt, that the Sainctes in heauen do vvish vvith most feruent desires the saluation of the elect, yet for all that, I dare not affirme that they pray for vs, in so much that the Scripture hath no vvhere layde that dovvne. Potamiaena this holy virgine and martyr, seeing the kindnes this souldier shewed vnto her, was greatly pleased with him, and in the feruency of her christian loue towards him sayde: that she woulde entreate the Lorde for him af∣ter her departure. In the like sorte also I reade that Cyprian Bishop of Carthage moued Cornelius Bi∣shop* 1.18 of Rome, that whether of them both shoulde first departe this life, the same without intermission shoulde pray vnto God for the other. suche was the feruencye of loue betwene them. In the like sense men commonly say: God haue mercy on his soule. which saying the learned and zelous doe not so well like of for though the good motion (as they say) & disposition of the minde be expressed therby yet doth it the dead no good at all: when as his soule being already in the hands of God, needeth not our prayer. God no doubt was as redy to graūt Basilides the light of his spirit, as Potamiaena was to pray for him. Toutch∣ing the seconde, whether she appeared vnto him after her deathe the godly can iudge. Sainct Augustine sayth: If the soules of the deade departed, vvere present at the affayres of the liuinge, then* 1.19 vvoulde they speake vnto vs, vvhen vve see them in our sleepe, and to omitte others, mine ovvne tender mother, vvoulde forsake me neuer a nighte, vvhich follovved by sea and by lande, to the ende she might liue together vvith me. God forbid that she shoulde become cruell in the happier lyfe, so that (if ought at any tyme greeue my harte) she comforte not her sorovvfull sonne, vvhome she loued entyrely, vvhome she vvoulde neuer see, sadd. but in

good soothe that vvhich the sacred Psalme soundeth out, is true: my father and my mother haue* 1.20 forsaken me, but the Lorde tooke me vp. If our fathers haue forsaken vs, hovve are they pre∣sent at our cares and busines? If our parentes be not present, vvhat other of the departed be* 1.21 there vvhiche knovve vvhat vve doe, or vvhat vve suffer? The Prophet Esay sayth: Abraham hath bene ignorant of vs, and Israell hath not knovvne vs. God of his greate goodnes promised King Iosias, that he shoulde dye, and be gathered vnto his people, leste that he shoulde see the pla∣gues which he threatned shoulde happen to that place and people. Chrysostom sayth: the soule that* 1.22 is seuered from the bodye, can not vvander in these regions: Agayne he sayth: It may not be that the soule departed from the bodye, can be conuersant here vvith vs: a litle after he sayth: It may be proued by many testimonies of holye Scripture, that the soules of iuste men, vvan∣der not here after their deathe. and leste any thinke that the wicked doe wander, thus he writeth. that neyther the soules of the vvicked also can linger here, harken vvhat the ritche man sayth, vveye vvhat he requesteth, and obtayneth not. for in case that the soules of men coulde be* 1.23 conuersant here, then had he come according vnto his desire, and certified his friendes of the torments of hell. by vvhiche place of Scripture it playnely appeareth, that the soules after their departure out of the body are brought into some certayne place, from vvhence at their vvill they can not returne, but vvayte for that dreadefull day of iudgement. Theophilact also the* 1.24 Summarist of Chrysostome, hath the same wordes. Origen writing agaynste Celsus, is of the same o∣pinion: affirming that the soules wander not, but suche as wander to be deuills. Chrysostome wry∣teth that the deuill vseth to saye vnto the liuing, anima talis ego sum. I am such a mans soule▪ to the ende he may deceaue him. Samuell whome the wytch raysed, was not Samuell, but the deuill in his forme, as Augustine writeth. Cyprian sayth: the vvicked spirites doe hide them selues in pictures and images consecrated: these inspyre the mindes of the Prophets: they bolden the harte stringes and entralls: they gouerne the flying of birdes: they sorte lotts: they fifte out oracles: they mingle alvvayes falsehoode and trueth together. for they deceaue and are decea∣ued: they trouble the life: they disquiet the sleepe: and creeping into the bodyes, they fraye the secretes of the minde: they bring the lymmes out of fashion: they distemper the health: they vexe vvith diseases, that they may compell the poore seely vvretches to the vvorshipping of thē: that being filled vvith the sauore from the altars and burnt bovvels of beastes, loosing the thin∣ges vvhich they bounde, they may seeme to cure. for this is their curing and healing, vvhen they cease to hurte: Nowe seeinge this harmony of learned fathers, affirming the soules not to wander, and that they which wander be playne deuills, let vs examine what credi••t can be giuen to Eusebi∣us, and how it may be vnderstoode that Potamiaena appeared not onely to Basilides in sleepe, but al∣so to many others for their conuersion. Pharaos cuppbearer dreamed he sawe a vine hauing three* 1.25 branches, but it was not so (according vnto the letter) Ioseph telleth him that the three branches are three dayes. Pharao dreamed he sawe seuen leane kyne, it was not so: Ioseph telleth him they are 7.* 1.26 yeares of famyne. Mardochaeus dreamed he sawe two dragons ready to wage battaile with the iuste,* 1.27 it was no so: but Haman and the Kinge wholy bent to destroye the Iewes. Polycarpus dreamed he* 1.28 sawe the pillowe set all on fire vnder his heade, it was not so: but a signe or token of his martyrdome. Sophocles hauing robbed the temple of Hercules, dreamed that Hercules accused him of theft, it* 1.29 was not so: but his conscience pricked him that he coulde finde no reste▪ euen so Basilides, with diuers* 1.30 others, hauing freshe in memorye the martyrdome of Potamiaena, and the villanye they practised a∣gaynst her, dreamed of her, their conscience pricked them, and bearing them wittnes of the facte, to their repentance and conuersion. so that she appeared not (after the letter) but her martyrdome was a corize vnto their conscience, crowning them with garlands of heauenly glory, if happely they woulde repente.

CAP. V.* 1.31

Of Clemens Alexandrinus Origens maister, and of his bookes stromatôn.

CLemens succeeded Pantaenus, and vnto that tyme he was a catechizer in the Churche of A∣lexandria,* 1.32 so that Origen became one of his Disciples. This Clemens writing his bookes stromatôn, compriseth in the first volume a Cronicle, containing the times vnto y^• death of

Comodus, so that it is euident, he finished his bookes vnder Seuerus, the history of whose time we doe presently prosecute:

CAP. VI.* 1.33

Of Iude an ecclesiasticall wryter and his bookes.

ABoute this time there florished one Iude, who published comentaries vpon the 70 weekes* 1.34 of Daniel, ending his Chronographie the tennth yeare of Seuerus raigne, he thought vere∣ly that the coming of Antichrist was then at hande because the greate heate of persecu∣tion raysed against vs at that time, vexed out of measure the mindes of many men, and turned vpside downe the quiete state of the Churche.

CAP. VII.* 1.35

Origen embracing chastitie, gelded him selfe. the censure of others toutching that facte of his.

AT that time Origen executing the office of a Catechizer at Alexandria practised a certaine* 1.36 acte, which expressed the shewe of an vnperfecte sense, and youthly hardines, but a nota∣ble example of faith and chastitie. he vnderstanding simply and childishly the sainge of the Lorde: There be some vvhich make themselues Eunuches for the Kindome of heauens sake: &* 1.37 with all purposing to fulfill the wordes of our Sauiour, for that he being yong in yeares prea∣ched, and made manifest, not onely to men, but also to women the mysteries of God: sought mea∣nes to cutt of, all occasion of wantonesse and the sclaunder of the infidels, practised vpō himselfe to performe the words of our Sauiour, carefully minding to conceale from his familiar frends this facte of his. but it was vnpossible to cloke and couer so great a matter, which thing when Deme∣trius* 1.38 byshop of that place had vnderstoode he wondred at his bolde enterprise, yet allowed of his purpose, and the sinceritie of his faithfull minde, he bidds him be of good cheere and continewe the office of a Catechizer. Though Demetrius was then of that minde, yet not long after, seeing Origen luckely to prosper, to be highely estemed, reuerenced, renowmed and famous amonge all men: he was pricked with some humane passion, so that he painted and published abroad, vnto all the byshops throughout the worlde the geldinge of Origen as a moste foule and absurde facte. yet the best accepted and worthiest byshops throughout Palaestina, to wete of Caesarea & Ierusalem, because they had found him worthie of dignitie and great honor, made him minister through the laying on of hands. then after that he came to great estimation, and was well accepted of all men, and gotten no small commendation for his vertue & wisedome: Demetrius hauing no other thinge to charge him withall, accused him of the olde facte done of a child, & for company wrapped with accusations such as aduaunced him vnto the order of the ministerie, which were putt in practise within a while after. from that time forth Origen without lett or hinderance fulfilled the worke he had in hand, preached at Alexandria day and night the word of God vnto such as frequented vnto him, appliyng his whole minde vnto holy Stripture and the profit of his disciples. when Seuerus had held the emperiall sceptre the space of eightene yeares, his sonne* Antoninus succeeded him.* 1.39 And of them which manfully perseuered in the persecution of that time, and after confession and sundry torments & conflicts, by the prouidence of God were deliuered: on was Alexander whome a litle before we signified to haue bene byshop of Ierusalem. He because he perseuered constante in the confession of the name of Christ, was there chosen byshop, Narcissus his predecessor being yet a liue.

CAP. VIII.

Of Narcissus byshop of Ierusalem, his miracle and aproued* 1.40 innocencye.

THe Citizens of that seae remember many miracles wrought by Narcissus, which they re∣ceaued* 1.41 ceaued by traditiō deliuered from one to an other, among which, such a miracle is reported to haue bene done. when on a certaine time the solempne vigills of Easter were celebra∣ted, the ministers wanted oyle, the whole multitude being therewith much greued: Narcissus cō∣maunded

such as had charge of the lightes speedely to bringe vnto him water drawen vp out of the next well, that being done, he prayed ouer it and bad them poure it into the lamps with feruēt faith towards God, which whē they had fulfilled, y^• nature of the water beyond all reason & expecta¦tion, by the wonderfull power of God was chaūged into the qualitie of oyle. & they report farther that a smale quantitie thereof for miracles sake was reserued of many of the brethrē a long while after, euen vnto this our time. many other notable things worthy of memory they reporte of this mans life, whereof this is one: certaine lewde varletts seeing the constancie & vprightnesse of his life, could not brook nether away with it, fearing that if through his meanes they were attainted there was no other way but execution: therefore they in conscience being priuey to infinite lewde practises, preuēt the same and charge him with a greuous accusation. afterwards to perswade the hearers y^• sooner, they confirme their accusatiōs with othes. y^• first swore: if I lye let me be burned to ashes. the seconde: if I reporte not the trueth let my whole body be tormented and wasted away with some cruell disease. The third: if I beare false wittnesse let me be s••itten with blindnesse. but for all their swering and staring, not one of the faithfull beleued them, the chastitie and vpright conuersation of Narcissus so preuailed among all men. He tooke greuously theyr despitefull dea∣ling, and because that of olde he had bene of the Philosophicall secte, he fledd and forsooke his Churche, hidd himselfe priuely in the deserte and obscure places, for the space of many yeares. yet the great and watchfull eye that iustely auengeth, woulde not permitt such as had malicious∣ly practised this lewdnes to haue perfect rest: but speedely and swiftely compassed them in theire owne crafte, and wrapped them in the same curses (if they lyed) they had craued vnto them∣selues.* 1.42 The first therefore without any circumstance at all in plaine dealinge, had a smale spar∣cle of fire fallen in the night time vpon the house where he dwelt, whereby he, his house, and his whole family by fire were consumed to ashes. The seconde was taken with the same disease from toppe to toe which he had wished vnto himselfe before. The thirde seeing the terrible ende of the two former, and fearinge the ineuitable vengeance of God that iustely plagueth periured persons, confesseth vnto all men theyre compacted deceate, and pretended mischiefe agaynst that holy man, and wasteth awaye with sorowefull mourninge, punisheth his body and pineth wyth teares so long, till bothe his eyes ranne out of his heade. and such were the punishmentes of false wittnesses and periured persons.

CAP. IX.* 1.43

Of the succession of byshops in the Church of Ierusalem

AFter the departure of Narcissus when it was not knowen where he remained, the bishops of the borderinge and adioyninge Churches ordayned there an other byshop whose name was Dios, whome (after he had continewed but a smale space) Germanion succeeded, and* 1.44 after Germanion, Gordius. In whose time Narcissus shewed himselfe againe as if he had risen from death to life, and is entreated of the brethren to enioye his byshopricke againe, beinge much marueiled at, for his departure, for his philosophicall trade of life, and especially for the ven∣geance and plagues God powred vpon his accusers. and because that for his olde yeares and he∣uie age he was not able to supplie the rowne, the deuine prouidence of God through a vision by night reuealed vnto him prouided Alexander byshop of an other prouince to be Narcissus his felowe helper, in discharging the function due vnto the place.

CAP. X.* 1.45

Of Alexander byshop of Ierusalem and Asclepiades byshop of Antioche.

FOr this cause therefore (as warned by a vision from aboue) Alexander who afore was by∣shop of Cappadocia tooke his iorney to Ierusalem for prayer sake, and visitinge of the pla∣ces there: whome they of Ierusalem receaue bountifully, and suffer not to returne whome againe, and that did they accordinge vnto the vision which appeared vnto them in the night, and plainely pronounced vnto the chief of them: charging them to hasten out of the gates of their ci∣ty and receaue the byshop ordained of God for them. this they did through thaduise of the borde∣ring byshops, constraining him of necessitie to remayne among them. Alexander himselfe in his

epistles (at this day extant) against the Antinoites, maketh mention of this byshopricke, in com∣men betwene him and Narcissus, wryting thus about the later end of an epistle: Narcissus greeteth* 1.46 you, vvho gouerned this byshopricke before me, and novve being of the age of a hundreth and sixtene yeares prayeth vvith me and that very carefully for the state of the church, & beseacheth you to be of one mind vvith me. These thinges went then after this sorte. when Serapion had de∣parted this life, Asclepiades was stalled bishop of Antioch and constantly endured the time of per∣secution. Alexander remembreth his election writing to the church of Antioch after this maner:* 1.47 Alexander the seruant of the Lord, and the prisoner of Iesus Christ vnto the holy church of An∣tioch sendeth greeting in the Lorde. The Lord eased & lightened my fetters and imprisonment vvhen that I hearde Asclepiades, a man vvell practised in holy Scripture, by the prouidence of God, for the vvorthines of his faith to haue bene placed bishop of your church. This epistle he signifieth in the end to haue bene sent by Clemens. This epistle I haue sent vnto you my Maysters and brethren by Clemens a godly minister, a man both vertuous & vvell knovven, vvhome you haue seene, and shall knovve, vvho also being here present vvith me by the prouidence of God hath confirmed & furthered the church of Christ.

CAP. XI.* 1.48

Of the workes of Serapion byshop of Antioch.

IT is very like that sundry epistles of Serapion are reserued amonge others, vnto our knowe∣ledge onely such came as he wrote vnto one Domnus which renounced the fayth of Christ in* 1.49 the time of persecution and fell to Iewish Apostasie: and vnto one Pontius and Caricus ecclesi∣asticall persons. againe epistles vnto other men. and also a certaine booke of the Gospell which they call after Peter wrytten to this end that he might confute the falsehoode specified in the same for that diuerse of the churche of Rosse, went astray after false doctrine vnder coloure of the fore∣sayd Scripture. it shall seeme very expedient if we alleage a fewe lines out of it, whereby his cē∣sure of that booke may appeare. thus he wryteth: VVe (my brethren) receaue Peter & the other* 1.50 Apostles as messengers of Christ himselfe, but their names being falsely forged vve plainely do reiect, knovving vve receaued none such. I truely remaining amongest you supposed you vvere all sounde and firme in the right fayth, and vvhen I had not perused the booke published in Pe∣ters name entitled his Gospell, I sayd: if this be onely the cause of your grudginge and discora∣ging let it be redd: but novve in so much I perceaue a certaine hereticall opinion to be thereby cloked and coloured by occasion of my vvordes I vvill hasten to come vnto you. vvherefore my brethren expecte shortely my comming. For vve knovve vvell inough the heresie of Marcianus vvho vvas founde contrary to himselfe, he vnderstoode not that vvhich he spake as you may ga∣ther by the things vvhich vve vvrote vnto you. vve might peraduenture our selues, laye dovvne more skilfully the grounde of this opinion vnto his successors, vvhome vve call coniecturers. for by perusing the expositiōs of their doctrine vve haue foūd many things sauoring of the true do∣ctrine of our Sauiour, and certaine other things borovved and interlaced vvhich vve haue noted vnto you. Thus farre Serapion.

CAP. XII.* 1.51

Of the workes of Clemens byshop of Alexandria.

THe bookes of Clemens entitled Stromatôn are in all eight, and extant at this daye, bea∣ring* 1.52 this inscription: The diuerous compacted bookes of Titus Flauius Clemens, of the science of true Philosophie. There are also of the same number bookes of his intitled: Dispositions or Informatiōs, where he namely remembreth his maister Pantaenus, expounding his* 1.53 interpretations & traditions. there is extant an other booke of his for exhortatiō vnto the gentils, and three bookes intitled the schoolemaister, & other thus: vvhat ritch mā can be saued? againe a booke of Easter and disputations of fasting, and of sclaunder. an exhortation to nevvenes of life for the late conuerts. The canon of the church, or against the Ievves dedicated vnto Alexander the bishop aboue named. In the bookes Stromatôn he explicated not onely the deuine but also the heathenish doctrine, and he repeating their profitable sentences, maketh manifest the opi∣nions both of Grecians and barbarians, the which diuerse men highely doe esteeme. and to be shorte he confuteth the false opinions of Graunde heretickes, dilatinge manye Historyes and

ministringe vnto vs muche matter of sundry kindes of doctrine. With theese he mingleth the opinions of philosophers, fittlye entitling it for the matter therein contained a booke of di∣uerous doctrine. He alleageth in the sayde booke testimonies out of wryters not allowed and out of the booke called the vvisedome of Solomon, Iesus Sirach, the Epistle to the Hebrvves, Barnabas, Clemens, Iude. He remembreth the booke of Tatianus against the Gentils, and of Cas∣sianus as if he had wrytten a Chronographie. Moreouer he remembreth Philo, Aristobulus Iose∣phus, Demetrius, Eupolemus Iewish wryters, and howe that all they pronounced in their writings that Moses and the nation of the Hebrevves and Ievves were farre more auncient then the Gen∣tils. The bookes of the aforesayd Clemens containe many other necessary and profitable tractes. In the first of his bookes he declareth that he succeded the Apostles, and there he promiseth to publish comentaries vpon Genesis. In his booke of Easter he confesseth himself to haue bene ouer treated of his friendes that he shoulde deliuer vnto the posteritie in wryting those traditions which he hearde of the elders of olde. he maketh mention of Melito and Irenaus and of certain others whose interpretations he alleageth. To conclude, in his bookes of Dispositions or In∣formations: He reciteth all the bookes of y^• Canonicall Scripture neyther omitted he y^• rehear∣sall of such as were impugned.* 1.54 I speake of the Epistle of Iude, the Catholicke epistls, the epistle of Barnabas, the Reuelation vnder the name of Peter.

CAP. XIII.

Clemens byshop of Alexandria of the Canonicall Scripture. Alexander byshop of Ierusalem, of Clemens and Pantaenus. Origen cometh to Rome in the time of Zephyrinus.

THe Epistle vnto the Hebrevves he affirmeth to be Pauls for vndoubted, and therefore writ∣ten in the Hebrewe tongue for the Hebrews sakes, but faithfully translated by Luke and preached vnto the Gentils, and therefore we finde there the like phrase and maner of speache vsed in the Actes of the Apostles, it is not to be misliked at all, that: Paul an Apostle is not prefixed to this Epistle. For (saith he) vvryting vnto the Hebrevves because of the ill opi∣nion they conceaued of him very vvisely he concealed his name, lest that at the first he shoulde dismay them. Againe he sayth: For euen as Macarius the elder sayd: for so much as the Lorde* 1.55 himself vvas the messenger of the almighty & sent vnto the Hebrevvs; Paul for modesty his sake being the Apostle of the Gentils, vvrote not himselfe the Apostle of the Hebrevves, partly for the honor due vnto Christ, and partly also for that he frely & boldly being the Apostle of the Gentils vvrote vnto the Ievves. Afterwardes of the order of the Euangelists according vnto the* 1.56 tradition of the elders he writeth thus: The gospels vvhich containe the genealogies are placed and counted the first. The Gospell after Marke, vvas vvritten vpon this occasion. VVhen Peter preached openly at Rome and published the Gospell by rote, many of the auditors intreated Marke being the hearer and follover of the Apostle a long vvhile, & one that vvell remembred his vvords: to deliuer them in vvryting such things as he had heard Peter preach before, vvhich thing vvhen he had signified to Peter he nether forbad him neither commaunded him to do it▪ Iohn last of all seing in the other Euangelists the humanitie of Christ set forth at large, being en∣treated* 1.57 of his friends and moued by the holy Ghost vvrote chiefly of his diuinitie. Thus farre Clemens byshop of Alexandria. Againe the aforesayd Alexander in a certaine epistle vnto Origen,* 1.58 writeth howe that Clemens & Pantaenus were become familiar friends after this manner: This as you knovve very vvell vvas the vvill of God that our frendship should continevve and remaine immoueable, begonne euen from our progenitors & become yea more feruent & stedfast. vve tak•• ••••em for our progenitors vvho going before, haue taught vs they vvaye to follovve after, vvith vvhome after a vvhile vve shalbe coopled, I meane blessed Pantaenus my Mayster, & holy Clemens my maister also, vvhich did me much good and if there be any other such, by vvhose meanes I haue knovven you throughly for my maister and brother. So farre Alexander. but A∣damantius (so was Origen called) writeth in a certaine place that he was at Rome when Zephyri∣nus* 1.59 was bishop there, for he was very destrous to see the most auncient churche of the Romains, where after he had continewed a litle while, he returned to Alexandria executing most diligētly y^• accustomed office of Catechizing, when as Demetrius also bishop of Alexandria vsed all meanes possible together with him to thende he might profitt and further the brethren.

CAP. XIIII.* 1.60

Of Heraclas Origens campanion in catechizinge

WHen Origen sawe himselfe not sufficient neither able alone to searche out the profound mysteries of holie scripture neither the interpretation and right sense thereof, because that suche as frequented vnto his schoole graunted no leasure at all▪ for from morning* 1.61 to nyght in seuerall companies, one ouertakinge an other they flocked to his preachinge: he or∣dained Heraclas of all the other his familiers, his fellowe helper, and Usher, a man experte in ho∣ly scripture, discrete and wise, and a profounde philosopher, committing vnto him the instruction of the inferiour sort and lately come to the faith, reseruing vnto himselfe the hearinge of suche as were father and better entred.

CAP. XV.

Origen studyed the Hebrewe tongue, and conferred the translations* 1.62 of holie scripture.

ORigen had so greate a desire of searching out the deepe mysteries of holy scripture that he studied the Hebrevve tongue and bought the copies vsed among the Ievves, whiche were written in Hebrevve letters. he searched and conferred the septuagints translation of ho∣ly scripture with others at that time extant.

CAP. XVI.* 1.63

Origen compiled and sette forth the translations of holy scripture, terming the one edition Tetrapla, that is fourefolde the other Hexapla, that is sixfolde.

ORigen founde certeine other translations besides the common and vulgare, variyng among* 1.64 them selues, to wete: the translation of Aquila, of Symachus, & of Theodotion▪ which I wote not where lying hidde of a long while he searched out and set forth vnto the worlde. of the which, by reason they were obscure, dusty & mothe eaten, he knewe not the authors, but this onely he signified that the one he founde at Nicopolis on the shore Acti••eke, the other in some other odd place. In the sixefolde edition of the psalmes after the foure famous translations he annexed not onely the fifte but the sixte and the seuenth, reportinge againe howe that he founde one of them at Hiericho in a tunne in the time of Antoninus the sonne of Seuerus. These being compacted toge∣ther in one volume and the pages deuided into pillers or columnes, euery copie sette righte ouer against the other, together with the Hebrevve, he published the same and entituled it Hexapla: ioyning withall seuerally the translations of Aquila, of Symachus, of Theodotion, and of the Septu∣agints entituling them Tetrapla. yet haue we to vnderstande that of these interpreters, Symachus was an Ebionite. The Ebionites opinion was recounted an heresie for that they taught Christ to be borne of Ioseph and Marie, and that Christ vvas but a bareman. They taught that the lavve vvas to be obserued after the Ievvishe manner, as we haue learned by histories heretofore. The commentaries of Symachus are at this daye extant, wherein he inueyeth against the Gospell after Mathewe, endeuoring to establishe & vphold the foresaide 〈…〉〈…〉 opinion. These works of Sy∣machus together with other trāslations of holy scripture, Origen t••porteth him selfe to haue found with a certaine woman called Iuliana, which sayde that Symachus deliuered hir them to keepe.

CAP. XVII.

Origen reuoketh Ambrose from the heresie of Valentinus, he professeth* 1.65 diuinitie and philosophie with greate admiration.

AT that tyme Ambrose addicted vnto the Valentinian heresie and 〈…〉〈…〉 by Origen, was lyghtened with the trueth whiche shyned as the sonne beames, and embraced the sounde doctrine of the churche, together with manie other learned men, whiche resorted vnto him. When the rumor was nowe euerie where bruted abrode of the fame of Origen, they came to trye the trueth of his doctrine, and to haue experience of his vtteraunt•• in prea∣chinge. Heretickes also very many and philosophers specially of the moste famous▪ whereof not a fewe gaue diligent eare and attentiue heede, and were instructed of him, not onely in deuine but also in prophane literature. as many as he perceaued towardly and sharpe wi••••e•• 〈…〉〈…〉 them

vnto philosophicall discipline, expoundinge vnto them Geometrie and Arithmeticke, with the o∣ther* 1.66 liberall artes. againste the absurde opinions of philosophers he alleaged philosophers au∣torities, and expounded them, consideringe seuerally of them as by waye of commentarie, so that he was renowmed, famous and recounted amonge the Gentiles for a greate philosopher. he per∣swaded also vnto the studie of the liberall artes, many of them which were dull witted, affirminge they shoulde thence procure vnto them selues great commoditie, and helpe to the contemplation and increase of knowledge in holye scripture, for he was of this opinion that the exercise of pro∣phane and philosophicall discipline was very necessary and profitable for him selfe.

CAP. XVIII.

VVhat diuers men thought of Origen.* 1.67

THe heathenishe philosophers who then florished are witnesses approued of his good pur∣pose and industrie in this behalfe, in whose commentaries we finde often mention made of this man, wherof some haue dedicated their bookes vnto him, other some haue deliuered vp their works vnto him as vnto the censure of their maister. But what shall I speake of them, when as Porphyrius himselfe, then in Sicilia, striuinge and strugglinge against vs with his bookes en∣deuouring to confute holy scripture remembred the interpreters thereof? And beynge not able to charge, neither to impugne to any purpose our doctrine, any kinde of waye, now voyde of reason he fell to rayling speaches and sclaundering of the expositors. of which number namely he goeth about to accuse Origen, whome he reporteth to haue knowen of a child, yet through his vnaduised forgetfulnesse he commendeth the man, sometyme reporting truely when as he coulde not other∣wise chuse: sometime vntruely thinking thereby to delude others, and whilest that nowe he accu∣seth him for being a Christian, anone he paynteth forth, and wondereth at his singular gyfte and* 1.68 excellencie in philosophicall discipline. heare him therefore, for thus he writeth: Many beyng de∣sirous to finde out, not the imperfection and impietie of Ievvishe scriptures but the resolu∣tion, haue turned them selues vnto expositions not cohaerent, & interpretations of the scriptures inconuenient, and not onely allovvinge of forged scriptures, but also approuing and extollinge the commentators. for they alleaging the darke speaches vvhich are sayd to be manifest in Mo∣ses, and publishing them as Oracles replenished vvith hydd & concealed mysteries: they frame a charmed iudgement through the arrogancie of their minde and shevv forth their expositions. Agayne after a fewe lynes he sayeth: This is the absurde manner and guyse of that man, vvith vvhome I beyng very yonge haue had conference, vvho then vvas very famous, and at this daye also by reason of the commentaries he lefte behinde him (I meane Origen) is muche spoken of, vvhose greate prayse is blased farre and nyghe among the maisters and fauourers of that do∣ctrine. For vvhen he vvas the disciple of Ammonius, vvho in our tyme excelled for his fame in philosophie, he profited very muche vnder him beyng his maister, and obtayned greate knovv∣ledge in the sciences: but as toutchinge the right institution of lyfe, he tooke in hande an other trade quite kame from his. for Ammonius beyng a Christian and brought vp of christian parents vvhen he had grovven into rypenesse of iudgement and the knovvledge of philosophie, forth∣vvith he framed his trade of lyfe conformable vnto the lavves: but Origen beynge a Gentile and brought vp in the sciences of the Gentiles, degenerated and fell into that* 1.69 barbarous temeritie, vvherevvith beynge taken he corrupted both him selfe and the perfection of those sciences, lea∣ding a lyfe after the maner of the Christians, contrary vnto the lavves, according vnto their opi∣nions of celestiall matters and of God, preferring straunge fables before the science of the gen∣tiles. He continevvally perused Plato, he readde ouer the vvorkes of Numenius, Cronius, Apollo∣phanes, Longinus, Moderatus, Nicomachus, and the reste of the Pythagoreans, counted vvise and* 1.70 profounde men. he vvas vvel seene in Chaeremon the Stoicke, and in the vvorkes of Cornutus, vvhence he borovvinge of the Grecians maner, the allegoricall interpretation of mysteries, ap∣plyed it vnto the Ievvishe scriptures. These thinges hath Porphyrius written in his third-booke agaynst the Christians, truely reporting of this mans exercises, and sundry kindes of knowledge but vntruely in that he sayde, he should degenerate from the Gentiles. For how can he pronounce the trueth when as he practiseth to write againste the Christians? he sayeth that Ammonius from leading a good and a godly lyfe fell into heathenish idolatrie. for the doctrine of Christ the which Origen receaued of his forefathers the same he retayned as we haue largely declared before. And

Ammonius also (contrary to his reporte) kept styll and retayned the sounde and vncorrup∣ted* 1.71 philosophie of God euen vnto his laste ende, as his commentaryes at this daye beare recorde whiche he lefte behinde him. namely that famous worke entituled: The agreement of Moses and Iesu, and other tractes whatsoeuer other men haue founde written. These thyngs are layde downe to the cōmendation of Origen, agaynst the sclaunderous mouthe of that despite∣full man, and of the greate skyll of Origen in the Grecians discipline and doctrine. Toutchinge the whiche when he was reprehended of so••e for his studye therein, he defended him selfe in a certaine epistle writinge after this manner.

CAP. XIX.* 1.72

Howe Origen defended him selfe againste such as reprehended him for studying Philosophie. Of his voyage into Arabia and Palaestina.

WHen that I studyed for the increase of knovvledge, and that a rumor or fame vvas* 1.73 spredde abrode of the perfection of my learninge and doctrine, heretickes, and speciallie such as vvere profounde in philosophie and in the doctrine of the Gen∣tils, resorted vnto me: vvherefore I thought good to searche out the selfe opinions of here∣tickes and vvhat soeuer myght be sayde out of philosophie for the confirmation of the trueth. This haue I done firste of all after the example of Pantaenus vvho profited a greate manye before my tyme, and had singular skyll and knovvledge therein. secondly after the exam∣ple of Heraclas, novve a minister of the churche of Alexandria, vvhome I founde vvith a pro∣fessor of philosophie vvhiche vvas his mayster, fyue yeares before I applyed my minde to the studie of theyr sciences. VVho also in tymes paste vsed the common and vsuall attyre, novve layinge that asyde he tooke the philosophers habite the vvhiche he retayneth as yet, and cea∣seth not vnto this daye vvith earnest labour & industrie to reade ouer the philosophers bookes. These thinges hath he written to the clearinge of him selfe for his studie in prophane writers. When as at that tyme he continewed at Alexandria, there came a certayne souldier from the gouernour of Arabia, with letters vnto Demetrius Byshope of that seae, and vnto him who then was Liuetenante of Aegypte, requestinge them with all speede to sende Origen vnto him whiche myght communicate vnto him some parte of his doctrine. Origen then beynge sente of them taketh his voyage into Arabia. Not longe after when he had accomplished the cause of his iourney he returned into Alexandria. In the meane whyle there was raysed such a sedition in the cytie and the warres were so hotte that there was no beynge for him there, he lefte Alexan∣dria, and foreseeynge that he coulde be safe no where in all Aegypt, he went into Palaestina and remayned at Caesarea, where he was intreated by the byshopes of that prouince, to dispute in the open churche and to expounde holie scripture, beynge as yet not called to the ministerie. Whiche thinge may euidently appeare by that whiche Alexander bishope of Ierusalem, and Theoctistus bishope of Caesarea wrote in defence of the facte vnto Demetrius concerninge him after this manner: (he layde this downe in his letters that there was neuer suche practise hearde* 1.74 of, that there coulde no where the like president be founde; that laye men in presence of bishops haue taught in the churche) VVe knovve not for vvhat cause he reporteth a manifest vntrueth, vvhē as there may be found such as in opē assemblies haue taught the people. yea vvhen as there vvere present learned men that coulde profite the people, and moreouer holie byshops at that tyme also exhortinge them to preache. For example sake: at Laranda Euelpis vvas requested of Neon, at Iconium Paulinus vvas requested by Cellus, at Synada Theodorus vvas requested by Atticus, vvho vvere godly brethren. It is like also that this vvas practised in other places though vnknovven to vs. Thus was Origen honored beynge a yonge man, not onely of his ac∣quaintance, but of byshops that were straungers vnto him. Afterwardes when Demetrius had called him whome by his letters and diuers Deacons of the churche had earnestly solicited his returne, he taketh his voyage agayne into Alexandria, and there diligently applyeth his ac∣customed maner of teachinge.

CAP. XX.* 1.75

Of the famous writers in Origens tyme and how the Emperours mother sent for him.

THere florished at that tyme many other learned and profounde ecclesiasticall persons, whose epistles writing from one to an other are at this daye to be seene and found reserued in the librarie buylded at Jerusalem by Alexander, who was bishope there at that tyme. from whence we haue compiled together the substance of this our present historie. of this number* 1.76 Beryllus (besides his epistles and commentaries••) hath lefte vnto the posteritie sundrye monu∣mentes of his sounde fayth, for he was bishope of Bostra in Arabia. Likewise Hippolytus bishope of an other place. There came also into our handes the disputation of Gaius a notable learned* 1.77 man had at Rome in the tyme of Zephyrinus agaynste Proclus a patrone of the Phrygian heres••e▪ in the which (to the confutation of the temeritie and bolde enterprise of the contrarye parte in al∣leaginge of newe founde scriptures) he maketh mention of therteene epistles of Sainct Paul, not* 1.78 naming the epistle vnto the Hebrevves in the number. For neither as yet of diuerse Romaines is that epistle thoughte to be Pauls.* 1.79 When Antoninus had bene Emperour seuen yeares and sixe moneths Macrinus succeeded him in the empire. And after that this Macrinus had departed this lyfe, in the firste yeare of his raygne, an other Antoninus tooke the imperiall scepter to rule ouer the Romaines, in the first yeare of whose coronation Zephyrinus bishop of Rome dyed: whē he had gouerned the ecclesiasticall seae the space of eyghteene yeares, whome Cal••stus succeeded. who continewing the space of fyue yeares lefte the churche to Vrbanus. Agayne after that Antoninus had bene Emperour foure yeares full, he dyed, in whose rowme Alexander immediately folow∣ed: at what tyme Philetus succeeded Asclepiades in the churche of Antioche. Then Mam•••• the Emperours mother, a woman (if there was then any suche in the worlde) very godly and religi∣ous (when the fame of Origen was spredde farre and nyghe enen vnto hir eares) thought hir selfe a happie woman if she myght see him, and ••eare his wisedome in holye scripture whiche all men wondered at, Wherefore remayning at Antioche she sent of hir garde for him, who also came, and after that he had continewed there a while and published many thinges to the glorie of God and of the power of his doctrine he returned againe vnto his accustomed schoole.

CAP. XXI.* 1.80

The catalogue of Hippolytus workes. Origen beginneth to comment.

AT that tyme Hippolytus amongest many other of his monumentes wrote a booke of Ea∣ster,* 1.81 where after supputation of tymes layde downe, he sette forth a certayne canon of Easter comprisinge the compasse of sixteene yeares, endinge the raygne of the Empe∣rour Alexander in the firste yeare. Of his other workes these came to our knowledge▪ of the sixe dayes creation: of the thinges vvhiche folovve the sixe dayes vvorkes. Agaynste Marcion. vpon the Canticles of Solomon. vpon certeyne peeces of Ezechiell. of Easter. agaynste all here∣sies, with manye others the whiche thou shalte finde extant amonge other men. About that time, Origen beganne to commente vpon holye scriptures, Ambrose diuerslye prouokinge him not onely with wordes and fayre speaches, but also ••rginge him with large offers of necessarye ex∣pences.* 1.82 For Origen had at certayne tymes appoynted for him, mo in number then seuen swyf••e notaryes, euery one supplyinge the rowme by turne, and writinge that whiche he vttered vnto them: and as many more scriueners together with maydens well exercised and practised in pen∣ninge. whose necessary expences and charges Ambrose exhibited yea and that abundantly. who* 1.83 also together with him bestowed greate diligence in the exercise and studye of the sacred scrip∣tures, whereby chiefely he prouoked him to write commentaries vpon holye scripture. When these thinges were thus adoynge, after Vrbanus had gouerned the churche eyghte yeares Pon∣tianus succeeded him in the seae of Rome, and in the churche of Antioche Zebinus succeeded Phi∣letus.

CAP. XXII.* 1.84

Origen is made minister at Casarea.

AT that tyme when the necessitie of the ecclesiasticall affayres so constrayned, Origen beynge sent into Greece was made minister at Caesarea in Palaestina of the bishops there abidinge. But what sturre fell out toutchinge that matter in his behalfe, and what was decreed by byshops concerninge the controuersies about him, and what other thinges he suffred preachinge the worde of God: in so much they require a seuerall volume we wyll passe them o∣uer, referringe the reader vnto the seconde Apollogie whiche we published in the defence of him, where we haue lyghtly runne them ouer.

CAP. XXIII.* 1.85

Of certaine commentaries of Origen.

THese thinges are also to be annexed vnto the reste, howe that in the sixte booke of his anno∣tations vpon Iohn, he declareth the fyue firste to haue bene written by him at Alexandria. But all the tracts that came to our knowledge vpon this Euangelist, mounted to the num∣ber of tvventie and tvvo tomes. In his nynth tome vpon Genesis (whereof all are tvvelue) he si∣gnifieth not onely the former eyght to haue bene written at Alexandria, but also his annotations vpon the firste fiue and tvventie psalmes. Againe he wrote vpon the lamentations, (of the which we haue seene fiue tomes) where he made mention of his bookes of the resurrection, in number tvvo. He wrote also of principall beginninges, afore his departure out of Alexandria. and the* 1.86 bookes intituled Stromateis in number tenne: he wrote in the same citie in the tyme of the Em∣perour Alexander, euen as all the titles prefixed to the tomes declare the same.

CAP. XXIIII.* 1.87

The catalogue of the bookes of the olde and n••we Testament alleaged out of Origens workes.

IN his exposition vpon the firste psalme he reciteth the bookes of the olde testament writinge* 1.88 thus: VVe may not be ignorant that there are tvvo and tvventie bookes of the olde testa∣ment after the Hebrevves vvhich is the number of the letters amonge them. Agayne a little after he sayeth: The tvvo and tvventie bookes after the Hebrevves are these: The firste Ge∣nesis, of vs so called, but of the Hebrevves Beresith, the title beynge taken of the beginninge of the booke, vvhiche is as muche to saye as: In the beginninge. Exodus in Hebrevve, Veellese∣moth, that is: these are the names. Leuiticus in Hebrevve V••ikra, that is: and he called Numeri in Hebrevve Hamisparim or Pecudim. Deuteronomium, Elle haddebarim, that is: these are the vvor∣des. Iesus the sonne of Nave, Iosue ben Nun, that is: Iosue the sonne of Nun. Iudges and Ruth vvith them one booke, in Hebrevve Sophetim, that is: Iudges. The firste and seconde of Kinges vvith them one booke, in Hebrevve Samuel that is: called of God. The thirde and fourthe of Kinges vvith them one booke, in Hebrevve Ʋ••hamelech Dauid, that is: and the raygne of Da∣uid. The firste and seconde of Paralipomenon vvith them one booke in Hebrevve Dibre ••a••••∣mim, that is: the vvordes of dayes. The firste and seconde of Esdras vvith them one booke, in Hebrevve Ezra that is: a helper. The booke of Psalmes in Hebrevve Sepher tehillim▪ The Pro∣uerbes of Solomon in Hebrevve Misloth. Ecclesiastes in Hebrevve Coheleth. The Canticle of Can ticles vve may not reade as some thinke the Canticles of Canticles, in Hebrevv Sir hasirim. Esai∣as in Hebrevve Iesaia. Ieremias vvith the lamentations and the epistle, in one booke▪ in Hebrevv Ieremia. Daniel in Hebrevve Daniel. Iez••chiel in Hebrevve Ie••••••chiel. Iob in Hebrevve ••••o••. Hester in Hebrevv Hester. besides these there are bookes of the Machabees intituled in Hebrevv Sarbet Sarbaneel. These thinges hath Origen layde downe in the foresayde commentari••▪ And in the firste tome vpon the Gospell after Mathewe, obser••ing the ecclesiasticall canon he testifyeth there be foure onely gospels writinge thus: As I haue learned by tradition of the foure Gospels (vvhich alone vvithout contradiction are receaued of all the churches vnder heauen) the firste is vvritten by Mathewe vvho vvas firste a publicane, then an Apostle of Iesus Christ. he pu∣blished the same in vvritinge vnto the faithfull Ievves in Hebrevve letters. The seconde is after

Marke vvho vvrot the same according vnto the preaching of Peter, vvho in his catholick epistle* 1.89 calleth him his sonne, saying: The church vvhich is in Babylōelected together vvith you saluteth you, & my vvelbeloued sonne Marke. The thirde is after Luke vvritten for their saks vvho of the* 1.90 Gentils turned to the sayth vvhich also vvas allovved of Paul. The fourth is after Iohn. Agayn in his fyfte come of annotations vpon Iohn, the same Origen toutchinge the epistles of the Apostles* 1.91 sayeth thus: Paul habled a minister of the nevve Testament, not accordinge vnto the letter* 1.92 but after the spirite, preached the Gospell abundantly euery vvhere from Ierusalem vnto Illy∣ricum, vvrote not vnto all the churches vvhiche he instructed, but vnto vvhome he vvrote, he vvrote in fevve lynes: but Peter vpon vvhome the churche of Christ vvas buylded agaynste the vvhich the gates of hell shall not preuayle, lefte behinde him one epistle, vvhereof vve are cer∣tayne. Be it that he lefte an other: but this is in controuersie. VVhat shall I saye of Iohn, vvho leaned on the breaste of our Lorde Iesu, vvho vvrote one Gospell and confessed vvithall, so many Gospells myght haue bene vvritten, that if they had bene vvritten the vvorlde coulde* 1.93 not haue contayned them. He vvrote also the reuelation beyng commaunded to conceale and not to vvrite the vvordes of the seuen thunders. He left behinde him an epistle comprising ve∣ry fev ve verses. be it that the seconde and the thirde be annexed, though some take them not* 1.94 for his. In bothe vvhiche there are not an hundreth verses. Moreouer of the epistle vnto the He∣brevves in his homelyes expoundinge the same he writeth thus: The character of the epistle vnto the Hebrevves setteth not forth the style of Paul, vvho confessed him selfe to be rude in* 1.95 speache, for the phrase of that epistle sauoreth very muche of the Greeke tongue. VVhosoe∣uer he be that hath any iudgement in discerninge of phrases vvyll confesse the same. Agayne that the doctrine of this epistle is sounde & not inferior to those epistles vvhiche vvithout con∣tradiction are knovven to be the Apostles, vvho so euer vvyll vvith iudgement reade the Apo∣stle, he vvyll also confesse the same to be most true. A little after he sayeth thus: I truely of myne ovvne parte, if I maye speake vvhat I thinke, do saye: that the doctrine of this epistle is the Apostles for vndoubted, but the phrase and style an other mans, vvhich noted the sayinges of the Apostle, and contriued such thinges as he had hearde of his maister, into certayne scholyes. VVherefore if any churche heretofore hath receaued the same as the epistle of Paul, ••et her still embrace and receaue the same vnder this name. For the learned men of olde haue not vvithout greate consideration deliuered the same vnto vs for the epistle of Paul. But who wrote it God the onely trueth knoweth. yet histories haue declared vnto vs that some thought it to haue bene written by Clemens bishop of Rome, some by Luke who wrote both the Gospel and the Actes of the Apostles. but of these thinges thus muche in this sorte.

CAP. XXV.* 1.96

Origen professeth diuinitie at Caesarea. Heraclas is chosen byshop of Alexandria.

IT was in the tenth yeare of the raygne of the aforesayde Emperour when Origen left Alexan∣dria,* 1.97 and gotte him to Caesarea, when also he committed the office of catechizinge there, vnto Heraclas. In a while after Demetrius the bishop of Alexandria dyeth when he had continewed in the same rowme the space of three and fortie yeares: him succeeded Heraclas. There florished also at that same tyme Firmilianus byshop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.

CAP. XXVI.* 1.98

Of the byshops that were Origens familier friendes.

THis Firmilianus so highly esteemed of Origen that one whyle he sent for him vnto his owne* 1.99 prouince to edifie his churches. an other while he tooke his voyage vnto Iudaea vnto him, where for a certayne space, he continewed with him for farther vnderstandinge of the holy* 1.100 scriptures. Besides him Alexander byshop of Ierusalem, and Th••••ctistus byshop of Caesarea, continewally were of his side and embraced him, permittinge vnto him alone, as maister, the in∣terpretation* 1.101 of holy scripture with the rest of the ecclesiasticall function.

CAP. XXVII.* 1.102

Of the persecution which Maximinus the Emperour rays••••.

AFter that the Emperour Alexander had ended the raigne of therteene yeares, Maximinus* 1.103 ••••sar succeeded him. who beyng i••censed with the anger, spite▪ and grudge he, ••are vnto the house of Alexander, whiche ••arhored many of the faythfull▪ sty••red 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the fyrye flame of p••rsecution, and gaue commaundement that ••he gouernou••s ••nely of the churches, as principal authors of the doctrine of our sauiour should be put to death▪ ••••t that ••••m•• Origen wrote a booke of Martyrs the which he dedicated vnto Ambrose and Protoctaetus minister of Caesarea, for that both they suffered no small affliction in that troublesome tyme. When as also they had endured moste constantly examination and confession, Maximinus him selfe continewinge Em∣perour no longer then three yeares. Origen noted the tyme of this persecution both in the two and twentieth tract of his commentaries vpon Iohn and in sundry of his epistles: When Gordia∣nus had succeeded Maximinus in the empire of Rome: Anterus also folowed Pontianus after he had gouerned sixe yeares in the bishops seae of Rome.

CAP. XXVIII.* 1.104

Of the straunge election of Fabianus bishop of Rome. of the succession of byshops at Antioche and Alexandria▪

AFter that Anterus had enioyed the ecclesiasticall function the space of one moneth, Fa∣bianus* 1.105 succeeded him. who as reporte goeth came from the contrey after the death of An∣terus, together with certaine others for to dwell at Rome: When such a thinge as neuer was seene before at the election of a bishop, happened then by the deuine and celestiall grace of God. For when all the brethren had gathered them selues together, for the election of a bishop▪ & many thought vpon diuers notable and famous men, Fabianus him selfe there present together with others, when as euery one thought least, nay nothinge at all of him, sodaynly from aboue there fell a Do••e and rested vpon his head, after the example of the holy ghost which in likenesse of a Doue descended vpon our sauiour•• the whole multitude beynge moued thereat, with one and the same spirite of God cryed out cheerefully with one accorde that he was worthy of the bishop∣ricke,* 1.106 and immediately (as they reporte) he was taken and stalled bishop. At that tyme when Zebinus bishop of Antioche had departed this lyfe, Babylas came in place. and at Alexandria, when Heraclas the successor of Demetrius had finished his mortall race: Dionysius (one of Origens disciples) supplyed the rowme.

CAP. XXIX.* 1.107

Of Gregorius and Athynodorus disciples of Origen.

WHen Origen executed his accustomed maner of teachinge at Caesarea, many flocked* 1.108 vnto his lessons, not onely that contrey men but also infinite forayner••, who forsaking their natiue foyle became his disciples. of whiche number as chiefe we haue knowen Theodorus, he was the same Gregorius the moste renowmed byshop amonge vs, and his brother Athynodorus. he beynge moste studious in the Greeke and Romaine discipline so perswaded them, that they embracinge the syncere loue of philosophie, altered their former studies vnto the exercise and study of holy scripture. And after that they had continewed with him the space of fiue yeares, they profited so much in holy scripture that both beinge as yet yonge men they were or∣dayned byshops of certayne churches in Pontus.

CAP. XXX.* 1.109

Of Aphricanus an ecclesiasticall writer and his bookes.

ABout that tyme also was Aphricanus renowmed and muche spoken of, the author of th••se* 1.110 commentaries intituled of Cestes or vvedding g••rdels. there is extant also an epistle of his vnto Origen to this effect that he doubted whether the historie of Susanna commonly redde in Daniel was true or fayned: Whome Origen fully satisf••ed. There came also to our handes of the

same Aphricanus doynge, fiue volumes of Cronicles curiously penned, where he reporteth himselfe to haue trauailed vnto Alexandria because of the greate fame of Heraclas, whome, ex∣cellinge in philosophicall sciences and discipline of the Gentils, we haue shewed before to haue bene chosen byshop of Alexandria. There is also of the same author, an epistle vnto Aristides of the difference or disagreeinge in the Genealogie of Christ, written by Mathewe and Luke, where manifestly he proueth the consent and agreement of the Euangelistes, out of a certaine hi∣storie which came to his handes. whereof in his proper place that is in the firste booke of this present historie we haue made mention before.

CAP. XXXI.* 1.111

VVhen, and where Origen wrote vpon the Prophets.

ABout this tyme Origen published commentaries vpon Esaye, afterwardes vpon Ezechiel. of the whiche vpon the thirde parte of the Prophete Esaye vnto the vision of the fourefoo∣ted beastes in the wyldernesse there came vnto our handes thirtye tomes. and vpon the Prophet Ezechiel in the whole fiue and tvventie, the whiche he wrote beyng at Athens. He be∣ganne to comment vpon the Canticles, so that therevpon he finished fiue bookes, and afterwards returninge from Caesarea he made them out tenne bookes. What neede we presently to recite an exacte catalogue of his workes, for it requireth a seuerall volume? when as we haue runne them ouer in the lyfe of Pamphilus who suffered martyrdome in our tyme. where we (commen∣dinge the lyfe of Pamphilus, his earnest and greate studie) haue made catalogues and indexes for the librarie whiche he buylded, gatheringe together both the workes of Origen and also of other ecclesiasticall writers. ••here, if any man be so disposed, he shall readily finde all the perfect vo∣lumes of Origen, as many as came to our knowledge. Nowe let vs proceede on further, to the dis∣course of that whiche followeth in this present historie.

CAP. XXXII.* 1.112

Origen reduceth Beryllus into the ryght waye, who aforetyme sauored not a ryght of the deuine nature in Christ.

BEryllus byshop of Bostra in Arabia, of whome we haue spoken a little before, went a∣bout* 1.113 to establyshe forrayne and straunge doctrine from the fayth, to the ouerthrowe of the ecclesiasticall canon. he was not afrayde to saye that our Lorde and sauiour, before his in∣carnation, had no beynge accordinge vnto the circumscription of a proper and seuered substance, neither had a proper, but onely his fathers diuinitie, dwellinge in himselfe. When as by rea∣son of this matter many byshops had dealt with him by conference and disputation, Origen also amongest others was sent for, who conferred with him at the fyrste to vnderstande the grounde of his opinion, whiche beynge vnderstoode and perceauinge him not to beleeue aryght, rebu∣ked him, perswaded him with reasons, conuinced him with manifest proofe, restrayned him with true doctrine, and restored him agayne to his former sounde opinion. The actes of Beryllus, the synodes summoned for his sake, the questions moued by Origen vnto him, the disputations helde in his owne congregation, with all the other circumstances thereunto appertayninge, are at this daye extant, and many mo infinite things haue our elders remembred of Origen, all which I passe ouer as impertinent to this present purpose. Such thinges as concerne him and are necessarie to be knowē may be gathered out of the Apollogy the which we wrote in his behalfe together with Pamphilus Martyr (a man that florished in our tyme) against contentious quarellers.

CAP. XXXIII.* 1.114

Of Philip a Christian Emperour and his humilitie.

WHen Gordianus had bene Emperour of Rome sixe yeares, Philip together with his* 1.115 sonne Philip, succeeded him. of this man it is reported that he beinge a Christian, and desirous, vpon the last day of the Easter vigils to be partaker and ioyned with the mul∣titude in their ecclesiasticall prayers: coulde not be admitted before he had firste rendred an ac∣compt of his faith & coupled him selfe with them which for their sinnes were examined and placed

in the rowme of penitents, otherwise he shoulde not be addmitted, because that in many thinges he was fautye: which Emperour willingly obeyed and declared by his workes his syncere and religious minde towards God.

CAP. XXXIIII.* 1.116

Dionysius succeeded Heraclas at Alexandria.

IT was the thirde yeare of the raygne of Philip, and the sixteenth year•• of Heraclas Bishop of* 1.117 Alexandria, when Dionysius succeeded him in the Bishops seae.

CAP. XXXV.* 1.118

VVhat time Origen sett his scriueners ••m••rke, and when his other workes were written.

ABout that tyme, fayth (as it was very requisite) taking roote, and the Gospell freely prea∣ched throughout the world: Origen as they reporte aboue threescore yeare old, being much worne and wasted by reason of his longe studie and painfull exercise: now at length firste permitted and not before, that those things which he had publiquely preached and disputed should by notaries be coppied out. Then wrote he agaynst the booke of Cellus the Epicure, intitled the vvorde of trueth, eyght bookes. after them, fiue and tvventy tracts vpon the Gospel after Mat∣thewe. and others vppon the tvvelue Prophets, whereof we haue founde fiue and tvventy in the whole. there is extant an epistle of his vnto the Emperour Philip, and an other vnto his vvife, the Empresse Seuera, with sundry others vnto other men, of the which as many as we coulde finde being scattered here and there (which exceeded the number of a hundred) we haue collected and comprised in seuerall volumes, to the ende they should no more be dispersed. He wrote also to Fa∣bianus Bishop of Rome, and to sundry other Bishops and gouernours of Churches of his sounde opinions and doctrine. the specialities thereof thou maist see in the sixt booke of our Apollogie written in his behalfe.

CAP. XXXVI.* 1.119

Origen confuted the Arabians which taught that the soules were mortall.

THere rose certayne at that time in Arabia which were authors of pernicious doctrine they* 1.120 taught that in this present life the soules dyed and perished together with the bodye, and that in the generall resurrection, they rose together and were restored to life agayne. A great synode was summoned together for this cause, so that agayne Origen was sent for, who pub∣likely so discoursed and disputed of this question that he purged & withdrewe their seduced minds from this foule error.

CAP. XXXVII.* 1.121

Origen openeth and confuteth the heresie of the Helcesaits.

THen also sprange vp the poyson••d opinion, namely the heresie of the Helcesaitae, whiche was no sooner risen but it was rooted out. Origen made mention thereof, expounding in the open audience of the congregation the fourescore and seconde Psalme, where he sayth thus: In these our dayes stept forthe one vvhich faced out, that he vvas able to auoutche the* 1.122 most detestable opinion, called the heresie of the Helcesaitae, lately sovven in the Churche▪ vvhat cancred poyson is contayned in this opinion, I vvill tell you, lest that ye also be decea∣ued. This heresie disalovveth of some of the holy Scripture vvholy, agayne allovveth of some other both in the olde and nevv testament. This heresie denieth Paul vvholy. This heresie coun∣teth it an indifferent thing if thou deny or not deny vvith thy mouth in the time of persecution, so that thou persist faithfull in thine hearte. They vse a certayne booke vvhich as they say came dovvne from heauen, the vvhich vvhosoeuer heareth and beleueth (say they) shall obtayne an othergets remission of sinnes then that vvhich Christ purchased for vs. thus went the affa••res then.

CAP. XXXVIII.* 1.123

Of the persecution vnder Decius, the martyrdome of many Bishops, and how that Origen was persecuted.

AFter that Philip had bene Emperour seuen yeares, Decius succeeded him, who because of* 1.124 his offence & grudg towardes Philip, raysed persecution agaynst the Church, in the which persecution, Fabianus Bishop of Rome was martyred, whome Cornelius did succeede. In Palaestina Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem, when he had the seconde time endured confession for Christ his sake (before the tribunall seate of the President of Caesarea) is cast into prison, where after a notable and famous testimony of his true fayth geuen before the iudgement seate of the Lieuetenant, he ended his mortall life. After whome Mazabanes was chosen Bishop of Ierusalē. And Babylas likewise Bishop of Antioch, (euen as Alexander Bishop of Ierusalem) after he had rendred an accompt of his fayth, died in prison, whome Fabius succeeded. but what thinges & how great they were which happened to Origen in that persecution: and how he dyed: the spiteful de∣uill deadly pursuing him with his whole troope, striuing against him with all might, and euery kinde of sleight that possibly coulde be inuented: & specially against him aboue all the rest which then were persecuted to death: and what and how great thinges he sustayned for the doctrine of Christ: imprisonments and torments of body, scurging at yron stakes, stinch of close prison: and how that for the space of many dayes his feete lay stretched foure spaces a sunder in the stockes: and how that constantly he endured the threats of fire, and all that the enemy coulde terrifie him with: and how that he ended after that the iudge had wrought all meanes possible to saue his life: and what languages he gaue very profitable for such as neede consolation: sundry of his epistles truely, faithfully and curiously penned, doe declare.

CAP. XXXIX.

How Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria reporteth the perills him selfe stoode in.

TOutching Dionysius, I wil alleadge out of his owne epistle vnto Germanus, where he of him selfe, writeth thus: I take God to vvitnesse of that I speake, and he knovveth that I lye not. •• fledde avvay not greatly regarding myne ovvne person, and yet not vvithout the vvill of God. Long before that the persecution vnder Decius preuailed, Sabinus sent the puruey∣er of corne to seeke me, for vvhose comming I remayned at home three dayes. but the searching all places, high vvayes, and floodes and fieldes, vvhere he coniectured that either I hid my selfe in, or passed by, vvas I vvott not hovv blinded, so that he founde not my house. He litle thought that I continevved at home in that heate of persecution. at length vvith greate difficultye (God no doubt disposing my departure) the fourth daye I and my children, together vvith many o∣ther brethren left the citie. and that our departure vvas caused by the diuine prouidence of God, the sequels declared, vvherein peraduenture I stoode vnto many in good steade. A litle after he reporteth the casualties which happened after his flight, in this sorte: About sunne set I vvas led by the souldiers together vvith my company, vnto Taposiris, but Timothe (as God vvould) vvas neither present, nor taken. At length vvhen he came he founde the house desolate, the seruantes keeping it, but he perceaued that vve vvere taken and gone. Agayne after a fewe lynes: And vvhat a vvonderfull chaunce vvas that? I vvill truely reporte it you: one mett Timothe by the vvay as he fledd and seeing him troubled and disquieted in minde demaunded of him the cause of his so quicke a speede, vvho forthvvith openeth vnto him the vvhole matter. the vvhich vvhen the passinger had learned, he passeth by and goeth still on his iorney, vvhich vvas to a banquet∣thig ••••idehouse (* 1.125 the maner vvas at such meetinges to vvatch all night) & being come thither, he tould the gestes at table, all that he had hearde by the vvay. They altogether headely as if it had bene a made matche, rose vp and vvith all speede pursued vs, vvith a clamorous tumult, the souldiers vvhich garded vs fledd avvay, then they fall vpon vs as vve laye in our bedds. I (God knovveth) at the first tooke them for theeues, & thought their comming vvas to robbe & spoile, as I lay in my naked bedd, I vvrapped me in the sheete & reached them the rest of my beddings. but they commaunded me to rise and quickly to departe, then vnderstanding their drift, I cryed out praying and beseaching them that they vvoulde suffer vs to be gone. If they vvould benefitt

me at all, I prayed them to preuent such as vvoulde bring me 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & to beheade me them sel∣ues. VVhen I had cryed thus as my companions and partakers doe very vvell knovve, they vio∣lently brake out. I truely then caste my selfe prostrate vppon the pauement, they tooke me by hande and foote, they lugged me forth and caried me avvay. there follovved after such as can te∣stifie all these thinges, namely: Gaius, Faustus, Peter and Paul vvhich ledde me out of my lod∣ging and layde me vpon the bare backe of an asse. Thus Dionysius wrote of him selfe.

CAP. XL.* 1.126

Dionysius bishop of Alexandria reporteth t••••••onstancy of such as were mar∣tyred at Alexandria vnder Decius.

THe same Dionysius in his epistle vnto Fabius Bishop of Antioche, describeth theire sundry* 1.127 torments which suffered martyrdome at Alexandria vnder Decius, writing thus: This per∣secution vvas not begonne by the Emperours edict, but one vvhole yeare before. for ther came vnto this city a certaine southsayer & inuenter of mischief, vvho moued and stirred vp the vvhole multitude of the heathēs against vs, & inflamed them to defend the superstition of their natiue soyle. by vvhome they being thus prouoked, and hauing purchaced on their side such as vvere of povver & authority, to perpetrate al impious acts: they persvvaded them selues that the onely vvorship of deuils & our slaughter vvas pietie it selfe. First then they apprehend a certaine minister vvhose name vvas Metras, & commaunde him to vtter blasphemy, vvho for disobedi∣ence* 1.128 therein is beaten vvith clubs, his face & eyes they pricked vvith sharpe quills, aftervvardes they led him forth into the suburbes & stoned him to dea••h. Againe they bring into the temple of Idols a faithful vvoman named Quinta, & constrained her to vvorship, vvho contrarying and abhorring their Idols, had her feete bound together, & by them trayled & lugged all along the streetes, vvhich vvere sravved vvith sharpe pimple stones, she vvas beaten against milstones, & sore scurged. last of all she vvas brought forth to the same place & executed. vvhich being done they all vvith one accord violently rush into the houses of the religious, & euery one of the vvic∣ked leadeth the heady multitude vnto their neighbours houses, vvhom they knevve to be godly & vvell disposed. so that in the ende they destroy, they spoyle, they steale & beare avvay the pre∣cious ievvels: but the vile, the base and the vvodden stuffe they throvve out into the streete and burne it to ashes. shevving forth thereby a resemblance or spectacle of a city taken & ransacked by the enemie. The brethren gaue backe & vvithdrevve them selues aside, taking in good parte & very cheerefully the losse of their goodes, much like vnto them of vvhome Paul hath testified. Neither do I remember any (one onely excepted) of them vvhich vvere apprehended, vnto this day that denyed the Lorde. furthermore they take holde vpon the elderly and reno vvined vir∣gine Apollonia, they beate her cheekes, and knocke out all the teethe in her heade. ouer agaynst* 1.129 the citie they prepare a pyle, and threaten to burne her quicke, vnlesse she vvould together vvith them vvtter blasphemye. but she lingering a litle vvhile, as though she vvoulde take further deli∣beration, sodainly leapes into the fire and is consumed to ashes. To be shorte they laye holde vpon Serapion vvho continevved in his ovvne house, vvhome they vexe vvith sundry greeuous* 1.130 & bitter torments, brusing all the members of his body, and throvving him dovvne headlonge from an vpper chamber. There vvas no vvay for vs to passe, no not the high & cōmon, no strayte cricke for passage, eyther by daye or by night, they cryed out all, and exclaymed euery vvhere, there vvas no other choyse but eyther to vtter blasphemie, or to be dravvne and bur∣ned at the stake. And these thinges (the more is the p••tye) endured toe toe longe. but in the ende this sedition and ciuill vvarre ouertooke the seditious persons them selues, and turned vpon them the selfe same crueltie vvhiche they before had practised vpon vs, so that for a li∣tle season vve refreshed our selues, their furye vvhervvith they raged against vs being somevvhat abated. For all this in a vvhile after the alteration of the imperiall scepter vvas declared and o∣penly knovvne, vvhich afore time vvas very sauorable vnto vs, but novve threatneth great mis∣chiefe to ensue, specially aboue all other vnto the christians, for the Emperours edict is proclay∣med,* 1.131 & that most dreadful saying of our Sauiour prognosticated long agoe novv taketh place that if it vvere possible the very elect them selues shoulde be offended▪ all do tremble & quake for feare, some forthvvith of the mightier sorte flye avvay doubting vvhat vvoulde be fall them, some of their ovvn accord are caried avvay vvith their vvorldly affaires, some are persvvaded by

their neighboures, and being ••••lled by their names, are present at their profane and impious sacrifices: some vvaxed pale and trembled, not as though they vvoulde sacrifice, but like to be∣come sacrifices and oblations to the Idols, so that the vvhole multitude in compasse derided them, for they seemed manifestly to be timorous both to dye, and also to doe sacrifice: some vvent stoutely vnto the altars and affirmed boldely, that they vvere neuer Christians, of vvhome the Lorde hath moste truely fore tolde: that such shoulde hardely besaued. some other there* 1.132 vvere that helde vvith both sides: some fledd, some vvere taken, vvhere of diuers endured fetters & imprisonment. other some after long imprisonment before they came vnto the tribunal seate renounced their faith: some others after they had stoutly endured torments, in the ende denied Christ. but others that vvere blessed and valiaunt as pillers or bulvverkes of the Lorde, being strengthened by him and stout in protesting their fayth, hauing gotten vnto them selues vvor∣thy constancie and courage sufficient, became renovvmed Martyrs of the kingdome of heauen. The firste vvas Iulianus a goutye man, not able eyther to stande or goe, he vvas brought forth* 1.133 by tvvo vvhich bare him on their shoulders, vvhere of the one aftervvar••s fell from the fayth, The other called Cronion, vvhose syr name vvas Eunus, together vvith the olde Iulianus, con∣fessed and acknovvledged the Lorde (as their bounden dutie required) vvith a perfect and sounde fayth. they vvere both layed vpon camels and scurged aloft, in the ende being throvvne into the flashing fire, they vvere burned to ashes, in presence of the people vvhich compassed them rounde about. vvhen as they vvere brought forth, a certaine souldier rebuked such as re∣uiled* 1.134 them, vvherefore they exclaymed against him, so that this valiaunt vvarrier of the Lorde vvas brought forth to fight, vvho after that he had stoutly behaued him selfe in that great skir∣mish for the Christian faith, vvas beheaded. After him an other by nation a Libyan, by appella∣tion and blessing the true Macar, vvas often admonished by the iudgeto denye Christ and re∣nounce* 1.135 his fayth: vvho for not consenting vnto it vvas burned quicke. After them Epimachus and Alexander, vvhen they had bene long punished vvith fetters, tormented vvith sharpe ra∣sors and bitter scurges, vvere throvvne into a fire pile together vvith foure vvomen. Ammonarion also a holy virgine, vvhome the iudge vvrested to and fro, for that she foretould him, she vvould obey him in nothing (vvhich in deede she performed) vvas brought forth to execution. The rest as Mercuria a very honest matron, and Dionysia a very frutefull vvoman, for childe bearing, the vvhich children for all that, she preserred not before the Lorde, vvhen they had confounded the iudg, vvhich vsed all kinde of persvvasions, and novv vvas of the vvomen ouercome, after they vvere so tormented, that they past all sense and feeling, they vvere beheaded vvith the svvorde. but Ammonarion passed them all, notably enduring all kinde of torment. Heron also and A∣ter and Isidorus being Aegyptians, together vvith Dioscorus a yong man of fifteene yeare olde, vvere committed. First of all the iudge tooke the yong man in hande vvith fayre speaches as though he vvere easy to be entreated, aftervvards vvith torments as though he vvere soone ter∣rified, but he for all his persvvasions vvoulde neither bovve at his flatteries, nor breake at his threates. the reste after they had endured the moste cruell renting and vnioynting of their bo∣dely members, he commaunded to be burned vvith fire: but Dioscorus he sett at liberty, vvon∣dering at his gracious countenance vvhich gaue a glistering shine, and the vvise aunsvveres vvhich proceaded out of his mouth, saying he vvoulde graunt him longer space to repente and to remember him selfe for his tender yeares sake. so that euen at this daye the moste renovv∣med Dioscorus remayneth amonge vs vvay••ing for a larger and a longer combatt. Nemesion* 1.136 also an Aegyptian is accused of the••te, vvhereof, after he had openly purged him selfe before the Oenturion, agayne he is accused of Christianitie, vvherefore he vvas bounde and brought before the President. but the most cruell and vniust iudge, deliuered him amonge the theeues, to be tvvise more greeuously tormented and vexed, making him thereby the more blessed and honored after the example of Christ. There stoode before the tribunall seate certayne soul∣diers: Ammon, Zenon, Ptolom••us, Ingenuus, and together vvith them, olde Theophilus, vvho* 1.137 (vvhen any of the Christians came to heare the sentence or iudgement, and novve vvas ready to shrinke) so strugled that they vvere ready to burste vvithin them selues, they nodded vvith their countenance & beckened vvith their handes, exhorting them to constancy vvith all signes and iestures of the body. the vvhich vvhen the multitude in compasse had perceaued, before that any layd handes on them, preuenting their doinges: they steppe forth before the barre and proclayme them selues to be Christians. so that the President and his assistantes vvere amazed,

and the Christians vpon vvhome the sentence had paste, 〈…〉〈…〉 thereby boldened to suf∣fer, and the iudges maruelously afraide. those departed from the tribunall seate very cherefull, reioycing in the testimony of their faith, God gloriously triumphing in them.

CAP. XLI.* 1.138

Of Ischyrion the martyr with others▪ of receauing after repent as fell in persecution.

MAny others (sayth Dionysius) throughout the ••it••es and villages vvere quartered and dis* 1.139 membred by the Ethn••ckes, vvhereof, one for examples sake I vvill reli••••••s••▪ Ischyrion being a noble mans hyred seruant & by office his st••vvarde, vvas commaunded by his maister to doe sacrifice, he obeyed not, vvherefore he vvas reuiled all to nought. The heathen maister seing his christiā seruant so constāt, persisting in his former opinion, taketh a great cud∣gill in his hande and beates his body and bovvels till breath departed, & death had ended the combatt. vvhat shall I say of the multitude of them vvhich vvander in the desert & vvast moun∣taines, consumed vvith famine and hunger, & colde and diseases, spoyled by theeues & deuou∣red of beastes vvhose blessednes and victories they that remayne aliue are able to testisie? Of these also I vvill alleage one for example. There vvas one Chaeremon a very olde man, byshop of Nilus, vvho together vvith his vvife ••••e••d vnto the vvaste mountaynes of Arabia, he returned* 1.140 vvhome no more, his company coulde neuer aftervvardes be seene. And for all that they vvere often times sought out of the br••thren yet colde neither they nor their car••ases euer be found. Many also in these deserts of Arabia vvere taken captiues of the barbarous Saracens, vvhereof some vvere hardly for great somme•• of money ransomed, some not as yet, no neuer vnto this day appeared. And these thinges (brother) I vvrite not in vaine but that thou mayest vnder∣stand, vvhat & hovv great euels and mischiess haue happened amongest vs, vvherof they knovv more vvhich among al others haue ••elt most. And after a fewe lines againe he wryteth thus: The Martyrs thēselues vvhich liued amongest vs, novve associates vvith Christ, coheres of his king∣dome, partakers of his iudgement in that they shall iudge together vvith him, haue receaued agayne certayne of the bretherne vvhich svvarued frome the fayth and fell to offer sacrifice vnto Idols, beholdinge their conuersion••▪ and repentance, knovvinge for surety that they vvere to be receaued, In somuche as God vvill not the death of a sinner, they embraced them,* 1.141 they retayned them, and made them partakers of their prayers and trade of life. but vvhat doe ye aduise vs my brethren concerninge such? VVhat haue vve to doe in this case? Shall vve be one and the same vvith them? Shall vveretaine theyr sentence and fauour? And shall vve ten∣der such as they haue pitied? Or shall vve reiecte theire censure and s••••tin iudgement vpon theyr sentence? Shall vve doe iniurie vnto pitie? Shall vve destroye order? Shall vve prouoke God agaynst vs? These things to good purpose hath Dionysius mentioned toutching them which fell in tyme of persecuton.

CAP. XLII.* 1.142

Of receauing agayne such as fell. The testimony of Cornelius byshop of Rome. The heresie of Nouatus, and his impietie. A synode helde at Rome for the condemning of his heresie.

NOuatus a priest of Rome puffed vp with pride against suche as fell in time of persecution through infirmitie of the fleshe, as though there were no hope of saluation lefte for them, yea if they accomplished all that appertained vnto true conuersion and right con∣fession* 1.143 of the fayth: became him selfe the author & ryngleader of his owne heretical sect, to wete: Of such as through their svvelling pride do call themselues puri••••nes. Wherefore there was a sy∣node gathered together at Rome, of threescore hyshops, besides many ministers and deacons, Againe there mett seuerally many pastors of other prouinces determining what was to be done in this case: where by vniforme consente of all it was decreed: that Nouatus together with such as swelled & consented vnto this vnnaturall opinion, repugnant to brotherly loue, should be excō∣municated* 1.144 and banished the church: and that the brethern fallen through the infir••nitie of y^• flesh, in the troblesome times of persecution should be receaued after that the salue of repentance, and

medecine of consession were applied vnto their maladies. Th••re came to our hands the Epistles of Cornelius byshop of Rome wrytten vnto Fabius bishop of Antioch toutchinge that synode held at Rome, shewinge therein what was decreed by all the byshops of ••talye and Aphricke, and of other prouinces. Againe other epistles of Cyprian in the Romaine tongue with the subscription of diuerse other byshops, wherein they shewed their consent in this behalfe: that such as shrinked were to be vpholden and cured: and that accordinge vnto iustice the author of this heres••e toge∣ther with his adherentes was to be banished the Catholicke Church▪ vnto these there was anne∣xed an other Epistle of Cornelius of the Synods decrees. Againe an other of the cause that mo∣ued Nouatus thus to fal from the Church, whereof it will not be amisse here to alleage some part that the reader may vnderstande what manner of man he was▪ and to the ende he woulde certifie Fabius of Nouatus his disposition, Cornelius wryteth thus: I geue thee to vnderstand that this* 1.145 ••olly Nouatus longed of olde after a byshop••••ke, and to thende he might conceale this his pi••∣••••sh desire, vsed this cloke of arrogancye. but first I vvill declare hovve he linked to his side cer∣taine confessors. Maximus one of our ministers & Ʋrbanus, vvho by confessinge of theyr fayth procured vnto them selues tvvise a notable name and estimation amonge vs: againe Sidoni∣us and Celerinus, vvho through the goodnes of God endured constantly all kinde of tormentes, confirminge the vveakenesse of the flesh through the strength of his faith, and valiantly ouer∣came the aduersary: these men vvhen they had considered better of him, and perceaued his guile and inconstancye, his periurie and falsehood, his inhumanitie and suspicious head, retur∣ned vnto the holy Church, reuealed and detected vnto many byshops and elders and laye peo∣ple vvhich then vvere present, all his sleyghtes and deuelishe subtletyes, the vvhich of long time they had concealed, vveepinge and vvaylinge that they had beleeued this deceatefull and ma∣licious monster, and that they had forsaken the Church, yea although it vvas but a little vvhile. Againe after a fewe lines in the same epistle he sayth: VVe haue seene in him (vvelbeloued brother) a vvonderfull alteration, and suddaine chainge in a shorte space. This good man vvh•• he had protested vvith certaine dreadfull oth••s, that he neuer coueted any byshopricke, soden∣ly as it vvere by certaine iugglinge feates, he stepped forth a byshop. this lavvemaker and pro∣tector of the ecclesiasticall science, vvhen that he presumpteously endeuored to chalenge vnto himselfe, the title of a byshop, not graunted vnto him from aboue: chose tvvo men of a despe∣rate condition, to be partakers of his heresie, vvhome he might sende to a certaine corner or les ser part of Italy, and thence to seduce three byshops, plaine, simple and countrey men, by some crafty meanes, auoutching and affirming, that they must in all the haste come to Rome, fay∣ninge* 1.146 that they together vvith other byshops meetinge for the same purpose, shoulde appease and remoue a certaine schisme raised in the Citie▪ vvho beinge simple men (as vve sayde be∣fore) not knovving theyr craftie and mischieuous fetches, aftertheir coming vvere inclosed by such levvde persons, that vvere like vnto themselues & suborned for the purpose: aboute tenne of the clocke vvhen as they vvere some vvhat tipsie and vvel crommed vvith vitayles, they vvere constrayned to create him bishop, vvith imaginatiue and friuolous layinge on of handes, the vvhich craftely and subtlely not compatible for his person he chalenged vnto him selfe. One of them aftervvards repented him, and returned vnto the Church, bevvaylinge his fall and con∣confessing his fault, the vvhole multitude also intreatinge for him, vvhome vve receaued vnto the company and communion of the laytie. In the rovvmes of the other byshops vve ordayned and sent from vs such as should succeed them. VVherfore this iolly defender of the Gospell vvas* 1.147 ignorant that there ought to be but one byshop in the catholicke church, in the vvhich he kno∣vveth (for hovve shoulde he be ignorant) that there are six and forty priests, seuen deacons, sea∣uen subdeacons, tvvo and forty acolytes, tvvo and fyfty exorcists, and readers, vvith porters, vvi∣dovves, and impotent persons aboue a thousand and fifty soules, vvho all are releaued through the grace and goodnes of almighty God. vvhome so great a multitude and so necessary in the Church, and by the prouidence of God so copious and infinite, yea a number of innumerable people, could not cōuert and turne him to the Church from this his desperate and damnable presumption. Againe in a while after he wryteth: Novve forvvardes I vvill orderly declare by vvhat meanes & by vvhat trade of life, he purchaced vnto himselfe the title of a bishop. Thinke you that therefore because of his conuersation in the Churche from the begining, or because he endured many skyrmishes or conflicts for his name, or that he stood in manifolde and greate perills for piety his sake? none of all this vvas true in him. The occasion of beleeuinge he tooke

of Satan vvhich entred into him and made there longe abode. VVhen he vvas deliuered by the Exorcists, he fell into a dangerous disease, and because he vvas very like to dye, vvas ba∣ptized in the bedd vvhere he laye: If it may be termed a baptisme vvhich he receaued. For he obtayned not after his recouery that vvhich he shoulde haue done accordinge vnto the canon of the Church, to vvete: confirmation by the handes of the byshop. In so much then he obtai∣ned not that, hovve came he by the holy Ghost? And againe a little after he sayth: He beyngè* 1.148 lothe to dye and desirous of life, in the time of persecution denyed himselfe to be a priest. VVhen he vvas entreated by the deacons and admonished ••o come forthe out of the house vvherein he had enclosed himselfe, and to minister vnto the necessitie of the brethren vvhich vvanted, he vvas so farre from doinge and obeynge the Deacons that he vvent avvay and de∣parted in a cha••e, saying that he vvoulde no longer playe the priest, but addicte him selfe vn∣to an other trade of Philosophie. and againe to this he annecteth that which followeth: this good man forsooke the Church of God, vvherein he vvas baptized, and vvhere also he tooke priesthoode vpon him, by fauour of the byshop vvhich allotted him thereunto through the layinge on of handes, and vvhen all the clergye yea and many of the layeti•• vvithstoode the facte: that none baptised in bedd as he vvas shoulde be chosen into the ecclesiasticall order, yet they all requested that he might be permitted to enter into orders. An other insolency of* 1.149 this man passinge all the former he reporteth thus: VVhen he distributed the oblation and de∣liuered to euery mā parte thereof, he added this vvithall (constrayninge the seely soules, before they receaued of his oblation to svvere, holdinge both their handes together not loosed before they had thus svvorne, I vvill vse theyr ovvne vvordes) svveare vnto me by the body and blood of our Lorde Iesus Christ, that thou vvilt neuer forsake me and flye vnto Cornelius. The vvret∣ched man tasted not thereof before he had vovved vnto him, and in steede of that vvhen he receauinge the breade shoulde haue sayd Amen: he ansvvered I vvill not goe vnto Corne∣lius. Againe a little after he sayth: Novv thou mayst vnderstande that he is all bare and fore∣saken,* 1.150 reiected and left of the brethren vvho dayly returne vnto the Church, vvhome blessed Moses a martyr vvho of late endured amongest vs a maruelous & notable martyrdome, being aliue and perceauinge his temerytie and arrogancie did excommunicate, together vvith fiue other priests, vvhich seuered themselues vvith him, from the Church. In the ende of the epistle he reciteth the catalogue of byshops, who at theyr beinge at Rome condemned the madd fanta∣sie of Nouatus, wrytinge both theyr names and the prouinces where they gouerned. he reci∣teth also the names and Cities of such as were absent and had subscribed by theyr letters. These thinges hath Cornelius signified by his letters vnto Fabius byshop of Antioch.

CAP. XLIII.* 1.151

Dionysius Alexandrinus reporteth of Serapion that fell in persecution, howe at his ende he was desirous to receaue the sacrament of the Lords supper.

DIonysius also byshop of Alexandria wrote to the aforesayd Fabius who in manner yelded to the schisme, many thinges in his letters of repentance, paintinge forth theyr pacience which lately had bene martyred at Alexandria. whereof omitting many things this one straunge acte worthy of memory we haue thought good to publishe in this our history for thus he wrote: I vvill certifee thee (sayth he) of this one example vvhich happened amongest vs. There* 1.152 vvas one Serapion dvvelling among vs a faithful olde man, vvhich of a long time liued vvithout reprehēsion, but being tempted in persecutiō fell from the faith. he entreated very often that he might be receaued again, but none gaue eare vnto him for he had done sacrifice: & falling vnto a dangerous disease lay speachlesse and benummed of all his senses the space of three dayes, the fourth day after, being somvvhat recouered he called vnto him a nephevv of his, his daugh∣ters sonne and sayd vnto him: hovve longe (O my sonne) doe ye vvithholde me? I besech you make hast and absolue me quickly, call vnto me one of the Priestes, the vvhich as soone as he had spoken he vvas speachelesse agayne. The boye ranne vnto the Priest, it vvas night, the Priest vvas sicke and could not come vvith him. And because I gaue commaundement (sayth Dionysius) that such as vvere aboute to dye, if humbly they requested shoulde be admitted

to the ende they being strengthened in faith might departe in peace: he deliuered vnto the boy* 1.153 a litle of the Eucharist, & commaunded him to crimble or soke it and so droppe it by a litle & a little into the olde mans mouth. the boy returneth and bringes vvith him the Eucharist. vvhen he vvas hard by before he came in, Serapion sayd: comest thou my sonne? the priest cānot come, vvhy then dispatch thou that vvhich he commaunded thee to doe and lett me departe. the boy immixed or loked the eucharist and vvith all lett it by droppe meale into the old mans mouth, vvhereof vvhen he had tasted a litle, forth vvith gaue vp the Ghost▪ is it not manifest that this olde man vvas so longe helde backe vntill he vvere absolued and loosed from the linke of sinne by confessing in the presence of many the fault he had committed? Thus farre Dionysius.

CAP. XLIIII.* 1.154

The epistle of Dionysius byshop of Alexandria vnto Nouatus.

NOwe let vs see what he wrote vnto Nouatus who at that time molested the Churche of Rome. Because that he pretended the cause of his fall and the occasion why he embra∣ced that Apostasie and schisme to rise through the perswasion of certaine brethren, as* 1.155 if he were thereunto compelled by them, Marke howe he wryteth vnto him: Dionysius vnto the brother Nouatus sendeth greeting. If thou vvast constrayned against thy vvill (as thou sayest) thou vvilt declare the same, if thou returne vvillingly▪ thou shouldest haue suffred anything ra∣ther then to rent a sunder the church of God. neither is this martyrdome vvhich is suffred for not seueringe and deuidinge the Church of lesse glorie, then that vvhich is tollerated for denyall of sacrifice vnto deuels▪ yea in my iudgement it is offarre greater glorye. For in the one, martyr∣dom is suffred for one soule, in the other for the vniuersall church. but if thou ether persvvad the brethren, or constraine them to returne to vnitie, this notable fact vvilbe farre greater then the fault that vvent before. & the one vvill not be imputed, the other vvilbe comended. If thou canst not persvvade the rebellious and disobedient, saue at leaste vvise thine ovvne soule. I desire thy health in the Lord and thy embracing of peace, & vnitie. Thus he wrote to Nouatus.

CAP. XLV.* 1.156

The catalogue of Dionysius Alexandrinus Epistles concerning repentance.

HE wrote an Epistle of repentance vnto the bretherne throughout Aegypt, where he layeth downe his censure of such as fell, and describeth meanes to correct vices. of the same mat∣ter* 1.157 there is extant an epistle of his vnto Conon byshop of Hermopolis, and an exhortation vnto his flocke of Alexandria. among these there is an other wryten vnto Origen of martyrdome. likewise he wrote of repentance vnto the brethern of Laodicea, whose byshop was Thelymidres, &* 1.158 to the bretherne throughout Armenia whose byshop was Meruzanes, Moreouer he wrote vnto Cornelius byshop of Rome approuinge his epistle against Nouatus: where he reporteth that he was called of Elenus byshop of Tarsus in Cilicia and other his companions: Firmilianus byshop of Cappadocia and Theoctistus byshop of Palaestina: to meete them at the synode held at Antioch, where diuerse went about to establish the schisme of Nouatus. he addeth besides howe he signified Fabius there to haue deseased and Demetrianus to haue succeded him byshop of Antioch. He wrot of the byshop of Ierusalem these wordes: The renovvmed Alexander dyed in pryson. There is extāt an other epistle of Dionysius vnto the Romayns deliuered by Hippolytus. againe he wrote an other of peace and repentance. an other vnto the confessors which cleaued vnto the opinion of Nouatus. Againe other two epistles vnto such as were conuerted vnto the churche, and to many o∣thers he wrote very profitable tractes for the studious readers to peruse.

The ende of the sixt booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Anno Dom. 204.
• * 1.2

  Leonides the father of O∣rigen behea∣ded.
• * 1.3

  Seuerus wēt on the tenth yeare of his raigne, when the greate persecution was raysed. Laetus ruled Alexandria and Aegypt.
• * 1.4

  Cap. 3. after the Greeke.
• * 1.5

  Origen by the meanes of his mother auoydeth greate perill. Origen be∣inge a childe, exhorteth his father to mar tyrdome. Origen of a childe brought vp in holy Scri∣ture.
• * 1.6

  A certaine Matrone of Alexandria receaueth O¦rigen with▪ his mother & brethren.
• * 1.7

  Origen ta∣keth heede of Heretikes. Tis. 3. Origen stu∣dieth rheto∣ricke.
• * 1.8

  Plutarch a martyr. Heraclas af∣ter Demetri∣us b. of Alex¦andria. Origen a ca∣techizer be∣ing 18. yeare olde. Origen corn forteth the martyrs.
• * 1.9

  Origē as he taught he li∣ued & as he hued he taught.
• * 1.10

  Origē sould his philoso∣phy bookes.
• * 1.11

  Origen had many follow¦ers.
• * 1.12

  Cap. 4. after the Greeke. Plutarchus a Martyr.
• * 1.13

  Serenus bur∣ned. Heraclides beheaded. Heron behea¦ded. Serenus be∣headed. Rhais a wo∣man burned. Cap. 5. after the greeke.
• * 1.14

  Potamiaena burned. Marcella bur¦ned.
• * 1.15

  Basilides be∣fore a Pagan now a Chri∣stian, before a murtherer, now a martyr
• * 1.16

  Basilides ba∣ptised in pri∣son, after∣wards behea¦ded.
• * 1.17

  August. lib. de cur. pro mort. agend. cap. 13. Pet. Martyr. in 8. cap. ad Rom.
• * 1.18

  Cyprian lib. 1. epist. 1.
• * 1.19

  August. li. de¦cur. pro mor. agend. cap. 13
• * 1.20

  Psal. 27.
• * 1.21

  ••say 63. 4. Reg. 22.
• * 1.22

  Chrysost. in 8. cap. Matth.
• * 1.23

  Luke 16.
• * 1.24

  Theophilact in 8. cap. Mat Origen lib 7 contra Celsū Chrysst in 8. cap. Matth. 1. Reg. 28. Augustinus Lib. 2. de mi∣rab. sacrae Scrip. cap. 11 Cyprian de Idol. vanitate
• * 1.25

  Pharaos cup bearer.
• * 1.26

  Pharao.
• * 1.27

  Mardochaeus
• * 1.28

  Polycarpus.
• * 1.29

  Sophocles.
• * 1.30

  Basilides.
• * 1.31

  Cap. 6. after the greeke.
• * 1.32

  Pantaenus, Clemens & Origen were catechizers in the schole of Alexādria
• * 1.33

  Cap. 7. after the greeke.
• * 1.34

  Iude.
• * 1.35

  Cap. 8. after the greeke.
• * 1.36

  Origen gel∣deth himselfe.
• * 1.37

  Math, 19.
• * 1.38

  Demetrius byshop of Alexandria one while li∣keth another while misli∣keth through enuie with the gelding of Origen. The byshops of Caesarea and Ierusalē allowed of Origen and made him minister.
• * 1.39

  Antoninus was created Emperour anno Domi∣ni. 213.
• * 1.40

  Cap. 9. after the Greeke.
• * 1.41

  If thou thin∣kest (gentle Reader) this miracle to be a tale, take it, as cheape as thou findest 〈…〉〈…〉 it be true maruell not at all thereat, for God brin¦geth straun∣ger thinges then this to passe.
• * 1.42

  The iustice of God a∣gainst pe••iu∣ted persons.
• * 1.43

  Cap. 10. after the greeke.
• * 1.44

  Dios. Germanion. Gordius. Narcissus & Alexāder his helper.
• * 1.45

  Cap. 11. after the greeke.
• * 1.46

  Alexander. b of Ierusalem Epist contra Atinoitas. Ascleprades.
• * 1.47

  Alexander. b of Ierusalem vnto the church of Antioch.
• * 1.48

  Cap. 12. after the greeke.
• * 1.49

  Domnus. Pontius. Caricus.
• * 1.50

  Serapion bi∣shop of An∣tioch vnto the Churche of Rosse tout∣ching the Gospell after Peter. Marcianus an hereticke.
• * 1.51

  Cap. 13. in the greeke
• * 1.52

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.53

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.54

  Cap. 14. in the greke.
• * 1.55

  Clemens al∣leageth this out of Ma∣carius.
• * 1.56

  Clemens of the order of the Gospells. Matthewe. Luke. Marke.
• * 1.57

  Iohn.
• * 1.58

  Alexander byshop of Ie¦rusalem vnto Origen.
• * 1.59

  Origen came to Rome about Ann. Domini. 210.
• * 1.60

  Cap. 15. after the Greeke.
• * 1.61

  Heraclas ca∣techizer at Alexandria.
• * 1.62

  Cap. 16. in the Greeke.
• * 1.63

  Cap. 17. in the Greeke.
• * 1.64

  Many Greke translations of the olde testament. The septua∣gints. Aquila. Symachus. Theodorion 5. 6. 7. Hexapla. Tetrapla. Symachus an Ebionite. The heresie of the Ebio∣onites.
• * 1.65

  Cap. 18. in the Greeke.
• * 1.66

  Origen rea∣deth the libe¦rall artes ex∣horting both the subtle & simple to studie them.
• * 1.67

  Cap. 19. after the Greeke.
• * 1.68

  Porphyrius an Atheist (whose wor∣des these are lib. 3. contra Christianos) wrote fiftene bookes a∣gainste the Christians, whome Euse bius cōfuted in 30. bookes of the which 20. were extāt in the tyme of Ierom but at this daye not one.
• * 1.69

  The blas∣phemie of Porphyrius against Chri¦stianitie.
• * 1.70

  Origen lear∣ned of the Grecians to write allego∣rically.
• * 1.71

  Porphyrius sclaundered Origen and Ammonius.
• * 1.72

  Cap. 20. in the Greeke.
• * 1.73

  Origen in a certaine epi∣stle writeth thus of him selfe for his study in phi∣losophie.
• * 1.74

  Alexander. b. of Ierusalem & Theoctist{us} b. of Caesarea write thus vnto Deme∣trius b. of A∣lexandria which found faulte that a laye man in presence of Bishops shoulde di∣spute or in∣terprete.
• * 1.75

  Cap. 21. in the greeke
• * 1.76

  Beryllus. Hippolytus.
• * 1.77

  Gai{us} agaynst Proclus.
• * 1.78

  14. epistles of Paul.
• * 1.79

  an. do. 220: Macrin{us} suc∣ceedeth An∣toninus in the empire. Antoninus. 2 emperour: an. dom. 221. Calistu••. B. of Rome. Vrbanus. B. of Rome. Alexander Emperour an. dom. 224. Philetus. b. of Antioche.
• * 1.80

  Cap. 22. in the Greeke.
• * 1.81

  The workes of Hippolyt{us}
• * 1.82

  Origens no∣taries and scriueners.
• * 1.83

  Pontianus. b. of Rome. Zebinus. b. of Antioch.
• * 1.84

  Cap. 23. in the Greeke.
• * 1.85

  Cap. 24. in the Greeke.
• * 1.86

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.87

  Cap. 25. in the Greeke.
• * 1.88

  Origen in Psal. 1. Genesis. Exodus. Leuiticus. Numeri. Deuterono∣mium. ••osue. Iudges and Ruth. 1. & 2. of Sa∣muel. 3. and 4. of Kinges. 1. & 2. of. Pa∣ralip. 1. & 2. of Es∣dr••••. Psalmes. Prouerbe. Ecclesiast••s. Canticū Cā∣••••orum. Iere. la. epist. Daniel. Ezechiel. Iob Hister. Machabees. Origen hom. 1. in Math. Matthewe.
• * 1.89

  Marke.
• * 1.90

  Luke.
• * 1.91

  Iohn.
• * 1.92

  Origen hom. 5. in Iohan. Pauls epistles Peters. 2. epi∣stles.
• * 1.93

  The Apoca∣calyps.
• * 1.94

  Ioh. 3. epi∣stles.
• * 1.95

  Origen in e∣pist. ad Rom.
• * 1.96

  Cap. 26. in the Greeke.
• * 1.97

  an. Dom. 234
• * 1.98

  Cap. 27. in the Greeke.
• * 1.99

  Firmilianus.
• * 1.100

  Alexander.
• * 1.101

  Theoctistus.
• * 1.102

  Cap. 28. in the Greeke.
• * 1.103

  Maximinus was created Emperour an. Dom. 237 vnder whom the sixte per∣secution was raysed. Gordianus created Em∣perour anno Dom. 240. Anterus. b. of Rome.
• * 1.104

  Cap 29. in the Greeke.
• * 1.105

  Fabianus. b. of Rome.
• * 1.106

  Babylas. b. of Antioche. Dionysius. b. of Alexādria.
• * 1.107

  Cap. 30. in the Greeke.
• * 1.108

  Theodorus. Gregorius Na••••anzen{us}. Athynodor{us}.
• * 1.109

  Cap. 31. in the Greeke.
• * 1.110

  The historie of Susanna doubted of.
• * 1.111

  Cap. 32. in the Greeke.
• * 1.112

  Cap. 33. in the Greeke.
• * 1.113

  Beryllus de∣nyed Christ to be the se∣cond person in Trinitie before he was made man.
• * 1.114

  Cap. 34. in the Greeke.
• * 1.115

  Philip crow∣ned Empe∣rour Anno Dom. 246.
• * 1.116

  Cap. 35. after the greeke.
• * 1.117

  Anno Domi 249.
• * 1.118

  Cap. 36. after the Greeke.
• * 1.119

  Cap. 37. after the Greeke.
• * 1.120

  Of this opi∣nion was Iohn the 22. b. of Rome.
• * 1.121

  Cap. 38. in the Greeke.
• * 1.122

  Origen in 8•• Psal.
• * 1.123

  Cap. 39. after the greeke.
• * 1.124

  Decius crow¦ned Empe∣rour Anno Domi. 254. vnder whom as Orosius sayth the 7. persecution was raysed. Fabianus b. of Rome martyred. Cornelius b. of Rome. Alexander b. of Ierusalem died in prisō. Mazabanes b. of Ierusalē Babylas b. of Antioche di¦ed in prison. Fabius b. of Antioche. Origē is per¦secuted. Cap. 40. after the Greeke.
• * 1.125

  This cu∣stome in di∣uers places is now adayes in vie.
• * 1.126

  Cap. 41. in the Greeke.
• * 1.127

  Dionysius vn to Fabius b. of Antioche.
• * 1.128

  Metras after torments is stoned to death. Quinta sto∣ned to death.
• * 1.129

  Apollonia is burned.
• * 1.130

  Serapion was throwne downe & his necke broke.
• * 1.131

  The edict of Dec•• aga••••t the Christi•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••4.
• * 1.132

  Matth. 19.
• * 1.133

  Iulianus bur∣ned. Cronion was burned.
• * 1.134

  A souldier be headed.
• * 1.135

  Macar is bur∣ned. Epimachus is burned. Alexander is burned. •• women burned. Ammonariō is beheaded. Mercuria & Dionysia be∣headed. Herō burned Ater burned. Isidorus bur∣ned. Dioscorus a confessor.
• * 1.136

  Nemesion a Martyr.
• * 1.137

  Ammon. Zenon. Ptolomaeus. Ingenuus. &•• Theophilus. confessors.
• * 1.138

  Cap. 42. in the greeke
• * 1.139

  Dionysius. b. of Alexan∣dria vnto Fa¦bius. b. of An¦tioch. Ischyrion was beaten to death with a cudgill.
• * 1.140

  Chaeremon b. os Nilus was maried.
• * 1.141

  Ezechiel. 18.
• * 1.142

  Cap. 43. after the greeke.
• * 1.143

  The Noua∣tians call themselues 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 i. pur••••ans.
• * 1.144

  Nouatus is excommuni∣cated.
• * 1.145

  Cornelius. b. of Rome vnto Fabius. b. of Antioch Maximus. Vrbanus. Sidonius & Celerinus. forsooke No uatus. Thequalities of Nouatus.
• * 1.146

  Howe Noua¦tus the here∣tike vvas made bishop
• * 1.147

  The order of the cler∣•••••• in the church of Rome in the ••ime of Cor∣••elius.
• * 1.148

  Nouatus fell in time of persecution and denyed his order.
• * 1.149

  The comu∣nion was thē ministredand deliuered in∣to theyr hands, not popt in their mouthes.
• * 1.150

  Moses a mar¦tyr.
• * 1.151

  Cap. 44. after the greeke.
• * 1.152

  Dionysius, ••. of Alexan∣dria vnto Fa∣bius bishop of Antioch.
• * 1.153

  Men of olde receaued the communion a little before their deaths.
• * 1.154

  Cap. 45. in the greeke.
• * 1.155

  Dionysius b. of Alexan∣dria vnto No¦uatus the he∣reticke.
• * 1.156

  Cap. 46. after the Greeke.
• * 1.157

  Conon b. of Hermopolis.
• * 1.158

  Thelymidres Meruzanes. Cornelius. Elenus. Firmilianus. Theoctistus. Fabius. Demetrian{us}. Alexander. Hippolytus.