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 SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE EC∣CLESIASTICALL HISTORYE OF EVSEBIVS PAMPHILVS BISHOP OF CAESAREA IN PALAESTINA. (Book 7)

CAP. I.

The wickednesse of Decius and Gallus the Emperours, the death of Origen.

NOwe takinge in hande the seuenth booke of the ecclesiasticall historye the great Dionysius byshop of Alexandria, who partely by his commentaries and partely by his Epistles, described all the seuerall actes of his time, shall stande vs in good steede. Here hence will I beginne this present booke▪ * 1.1 when Decius had not raygned full two years, he was slayne together with his sonnes, whome Gal∣lus succeeded: at what time Origen of the age of threscore & nine yeares departed this life. but of the foresayd Gallus, Dionysius wrote vnto Hermammon in this manner: Neyther did Gallus perceaue the implety of Decius neyther did he foresee what seduced him, but stumbled at the same stone which laye right before his eyes, who when the emperiall scepter prosperous¦ly befell vnto him, and his affayrs went luckely forvvardes, chaced awaye the holy men which prayed for peace and his prosperous estate, and so he banished together vvith them the prayers continually powred vnto God for him. And this much of him.

The translator vnto the reader.

IN so much that Ensebius throughout his sixt booke almost in euery chapiter hath wrytten at large of the famous clarke and greate doctor of Alexandria, by name Origen, and nowe also in the begin∣ninge of his seuenth booke reporteth of his ende and that in fewe wordes: I thought good for the rea∣ders sake, for the more absolute and perfect deliuer a•••••• of the story, and for the further knowledge of his ende: to annexe here vnto, a worthie history out of Suydas a greeke writer, who liued about a thousande years agoe, toutching the thinges which happened vnto Origen a litle before his death, his wordes are these.

The life of Origen out of Suydas.

Origen is sayd to haue suffred much afliction for Christs sake, being famous, eloquent, and* 2.1 trayned in the Church euen from his youth vp: but through enuy he was brought before the ru∣lers & magistrats, & through the despitefull subtlely & crafty ••nu••tion of Satan, he was brought into great sclaunder, & blemish of infamy. A man (they say) the authors of iniquitie deuised to* 2.2 vvorke the feat, as much to saye they prepared an Aethiopian or foule blacke moore beastly for to abuse his body. but he not able to avvaye neyther vvillinge to here so horrible an Acte, brake out into lovvd speach, and exclaymed at both the thinges vvhich vvere giuen him in choyce, ra¦ther then the one that he vvoulde doe the other, in the end he consented to sacrifice. vvherefore vvhē they had put fr••kensence in his hand they threwe it into the fire vpō the altar. by this mea∣nes he was by the iudges put frō martyrdome & also banished the church. whē he had thus done he was so ashamed that he left Alexandria, and gott him to Iudaea: being come to Ierusalem & well knowē for his learned expositions & gift of vtterāce, he was entreated of the priests to be∣stowe a sermon vpon the people in the church & open assembly, for he was then a minister: af∣ter great entreaty & in manner constrayned by the priests, he ••ofe vp, tooke the bible, opened it* 2.3 & happened vpō this parcell of Scripture: vnto the vngodly, said God, why dost thou preach my lawes, & takest my couenaunt in thy mouth? when he had thus read he clasped the booke, fare downe, and burst out into teares together with all the audience which wept with him, he liued vnto the time of Gallus and Volusianus that is vntill he was threscore and nine yeare olde, he re∣steth at Tyrus where he is also buried. So farre Suydas.

The translator vnto the reader.

I Haue thought good also, he••r•• to laye downe his lamention, the which Origen himselfe 〈…〉〈…〉 Greeke tongue with his owne hand, when as after his faule and the deniall of his Mayster Christ Iesus he wandred to a••••••••oe with great greefe and torment of conscience, the which Saynct 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••r••n∣lated into latine and is founde extant amonge the workes of Origen▪ he lamented as foloweth.

The lamention of Origen.* 3.1

In the bitter afliction and griefe of minde I goe about to speake vnto them vvhich herafter shal reade me thus confusely & vvithout order, furiously disposed to sit vpon the tribunal seate of Christ together vvith the saincts in heauen. & hovv can I speake vvhen as the tongue is tied & the lipps dare not once moue or vvagg? the tongue doth not his office, the throte is dammed v••, all the senses and instruments are polluted vvith iniquitie▪ but I vvill procede on▪ and first I v••••l faule to the ground on my bare knees and make myne humble supplicatiō vnto all the sainctes* 3.2 and blessed of God▪ that they vvill helpe me, seely vvretche, vvhich dare not by reason of the superfluytie of my sinne craue ought at the handes of God. O ye sayncts and blessed of God vvith vvatrishe eyes and vvet•• cheekes soken in dolor and payne I beseeche you to faule dovvne before the mercy seate of God for me miserable sinner. VVo is me because of the sorovv of my harte: vvo is me that my soule is thus aflicted•••• vvo is me that am compassed thus on euery side and shutt vp in my sinne, and that there is no health in me. vvo is me o Mother that euer thou broughtest me forth, for a skilfull lavvyer to be ouerthrovven in his vnrighteous dealinge▪ for a religious man to faule into extreme impietie▪ vvo is me o Mother vvhich broughtest me forth a righteous man to be cōuersant in vnrighteousnes▪ ••n heire of the kingdom of God but novv an inheritor of the kingdom of the deuell: a perfect man yet a priest found vvallovving in impiety: a man beautified vvith honor and dignities yet in the ende blemished vvith shame and ignomi¦nie: a man besett vvith many euells and choked vp vvith infamous doinges. vvo is me o Mother vvhich broughtest me forth as an highe and a lofty turrett, yet suddenly turned dovvne to the grounde: as a fruitefull tree yet quickely vvithered: as a burninge light, yet forthvvith dar∣ned: as a runninge fountayne yet by and by driyed vp. VVo is me that euer I vvas bedec∣ked vvith all giftes and graces and novve seeme pitifully depriued of all. But vvho vvill mini∣ster moysture vnto the temples of my heade, and vvho vvill geue streames of teares vnto myne eyes, that I may bevvayle my selfe in this my sorovvfull plight? A lasse o priesthoode hovve shall I bevvayle thee? A lasse o mynistery hovve shall I lament thee? O all you my friendes tender my case, pitie my person, in that I am daungerously vvounded. pitie me o all ye my friendes in that I am novve become an abiect person. pitie me o ye my friendes in that I am novve vvith sorovve come to nought. pitie me o ye my friendes in that I haue novve troden vnder foote the seale and cony••ance of my profession, and ioyned in league vvith the deuell. pitie me o ye my friendes in that I am reiected and cast avvaye from the face of God, it is for my levvde life that I am thus polluted and noted vvith open shame. Bevvayle me vvhome the Angells haue bevvayled: bevvayle me vvhome all the saynctes haue bevvayled: bevvaile me vvhome euery man hath bevvayled: bevvayle me o all ye the nations vnder heauen in that I am fallen from my glorie. the Lorde made and ingraffed me a frutefull vine, but insteede of pleasaunt clustered grappes I brought forth prickinge thornes. bevvayle me also for that in steede of grapes I brought forth brambles▪ but let the vvellspringes of teares be stirred vp, and lett my cheekes be vvatered, let them flovve vpon the earth and moysten it, for that I am soken in sinne and borne in my inquities. I see my priesthoode lament ouer me, I see all ioy sorovvinge ouer me, I see the spider ouer my seate buyldinge vvith cobvveb, I see and beholde my selfe all sorovvfull and pensiue, euery crea∣ture sorovveth at my case, for that I vvas vvonte heretofore to poure out prayses vnto God for them all. Alasse vvhat haue I felt, and hovve am I fallen? Alasse hovve am I thus come to nought? there is no sorovve comparable to my sorovve, there is no afliction that exceadeth my afliction, there is no bitternes that passeth my bitternes, there is no lamentation more la∣mentable then mine, nether is there sinne greater then my sinne, and there is no salue for me. VVhere is that good shepherd of the soules? VVhere is he that vvent dovvne from Ierusalem

to Iericho, vvhich also salued and cured him that vvas vvounded of the theeues? seke me out o Lorde vvhich am fallen from the higher Ierusalem, vvhich haue broken the vovve I made in baptisme, vvhich haue profaned my cony••ance in that I dealt iniuriously vvith thy blessed name. Alasse that euer I vvas doctor, and novve occupie not the rovvme of a disci∣ple. Thou knovvest o Lorde that I fell agaynst my vvill, vvhen as I vvent about to lighten others, I darkened my selfe: vvhen I endeuored to bringe others▪ from death to life, I brought my selfe from life to deathe: vvhen I mynded to▪ presente others before God, I presented my selfe before the deuell: VVhen I desired to be founde a friende and a fauorer of godlynes, I vvas founde a foe and a furtherer of iniquitie: vvhen that I sett my selfe agaynst the assem∣blyes of the vvicked and reproued theyr doinges, there founde I shame and the moste pesti∣lent vvounde of the deuell. vvhen that I vvas ignorant and vnskilfull in the diuerous slaygh∣tes of striuers vvhich commonly entrappe men, I allured and exhorted them to the knovve∣ledge of the Sonne of God. vvherefore after muche siftinge▪ they promised me (vnhappie man) crafty conueyances to auoyde the subtletye of Satan. But after that I departed from* 3.3 them, the deuell in the same night transformed into an Angell of light, reasoned vvith me sayinge: vvhen thou art vp in the morninge goe on, and persvvade them and bringe them vnto God if they demaunde ought of thee. If in case they condescende and harken vnto thee, doe it and ceasse not, staggeringe nothinge at the matter to the ende many may be saued. And agayne the deuell goinge before to prepare the vvaye, vvhetted theyr vvitts to deuise mischief agaynst me seely vvretch, he sovved in theyr mindes hypocrisie, dissimulation and deceate. but I o vnhappie creature skippinge out of my bedd at the davveninge of the daye, colde not fi∣nishe my vvonted deuotion, neyther accomplishe my vsuall prayer, but vvishinge that all men might be saued and come vnto the knovveledge of the trueth, folded and vvrapped my selfe in the snares of the deuell. I gott me vnto the vvicked I required of them to performe the coue∣nantes made the night before (I seely soule not knovveing of any thinge) and vve came vnto the baptisme. O blinded heart hovve didest thou not remember? O foolishe mynde hovve didest thou not bethinke thy selfe? O vvittlesse brayne hovve didest thou not vnderstande? O thou sense of vnderstandinge vvhere didest thou sleepe? but it vvas the deuell vvhich prouo∣ked thee to slumbre and slepe and in the end slevve thy vnhappy and vvretched soule. he bound my mightie men and spoyled me of my knovvledge. he bound my mightie men & vvounded me. I ansvvered but in a vvorde & became reprochefully defamed. I spake vvithout malice yet felt I spite. the deuell raysed an assembly about me and pronounced agaynst me that vniuste sentence, Origen (sayth he) hathe sacrificed. O thou deuell vvhat hast thou done vnto me? O thou deuell hovve hast thou vvounded me? I bevvayled sometime the fall of Sampson, but novve haue I felt farre vvorse my selfe, I bevvayled heretofore the fall of Solomon, yet novve am I fallen farre vvorse my selfe. I haue bevvayled heretofore the state of all sinners, yet novve haue I plunged in them all. Sampson had the heare of his heade clypt and cropt of, but the crovvne of glorie is fallen from of my heade. Sampson lost the carnall eyes of his body, but my spirituall eyes are digged out. it vvas the vvilyenesse of a vvoman that brought him to his confusion, but it vvas myne ovvne tongue that brought me to this sinfull fall. And euen as he vvanted after the losse of his earthly possession: So my tongue, hauinge bolted out this vvicked sayinge, depriued me of the spirituall giftes, vvhich sometime haue flovved vvith heauenly ritches. And euen as he beinge seuered from the Israelites and cleauinge vn∣to forayners endured these thinges: so I goinge about to saue notorious sinners, brought my selfe captiue vnto captiues, and the bondeslaue of sinne. Alasse my Churche liueth, yet am I a vviddovver. Alasse my sonnes be aliue yet am I barren. Alasse euery creature reioyceth, and I alone forsaken and sorovvfull. Alasse o Church vvherein I vvas gladsome. Alasse o seate vvherein I sate full mery. Alasse o spirite vvhich heretofore camest dovvne vpon me, vvhy hast thou forsaken me? I am forsaken and become desolate because of the corruption and filth of mine iniquitie. bevvayle me that am depriued of all goodnes. bevvayle me o ye blessed people of God vvhich am banished from God. bevvayle him that is bereued of the* 3.4 holye Ghost. bevvayle me that am thrust out of the vvedding chamber of Christ. bevvayle me vvho once vvas thought vvorthye the kingdome of God, novve altogether vnvvorthye. bevvayle me that am abhorred of the Angels, & seuered from the saincts of God. bevvayle me for that I am condemned to eternall punishments. bevvayle me for that I am here on earth,

and novve tormented vvith the pricke of conscience. I doe feare death because it is vvicked. I doe feare the dreadfull day of iudgement for that I am damned for euer. I doe feare the pu∣nishment for that it is eternall. I doe feare the Angelles vvhich ourseethe punishment be∣cause they are voyde of mercy. I do feare out of measure all the tormentes, and vvhat I shall doe I vvott not, beinge thus on euery side besett vvith misery. If there be any man vvhich can, I beseche him novve assiste me vvith his earnest prayers and vvith his sorovvfull tea∣res. For novve it behoues me to shed infinite teares for my greate sinne. vvho knovveth vvhe∣ther the Lorde vvill haue mercye vpon me, vvhether he vvill pitie my fall, vvhether he vvill tender my person, vvhether he vvilbe moued vvith my desolation, vvhether he vvill shevve mercie vnto me, vvhether he vvill haue respecte vnto mine humilitie and encline his tender compassion tovvards me? but I vvill prostrate my selfe before the thrasholds and porches of the Churche, that I may entreate all people both small and greate, and I vvill saye vnto them: trample and treade me vnderfoote, vvhiche am the foolishe salte, the vnsauery salte, treade me vvhiche haue no taste or relishe of God, treade me vvhiche am fitte for nothinge. Novve let the Elders mourne, for that the staffe vvhereto they leaned is broken. Novve lett the yong men mourne, for that their schoolemayster is fallen. * 3.5 Novve let the virgines mourne, for that the aduauncer thereof is defyled. Novve let the Priestes mourne, for that their pa∣trone and defender is shamefully fallen. Novve let all the Clergye mourne, for that their Prieste is fallen from the faythe. Vvo is me that I fell so levvdely. VVo is me that I fell moste daungerously, and can not rise againe. Asist me o holy spirite and geue me grace to re∣pente. Let the fountaynes of teares be opened and gushe out into streames to see if that per∣aduenture I may haue the grace vvorthely and throughly to repente, and to vvype out of the booke of the conscience the accusation printed agaynst me. But thou o Lord thinke not vpon polluted lippes, neyther weye thou the tongue that hathe vttered levvde thinges: but ac∣cept thou repentance, afliction and bitter teares, the dolour of the harte and the heauy∣nesse of the soule, and haue mercy vpon me, and rayse me vp from out of the mire of cor∣ruption, for the puddle thereof hathe euen choked me vp. VVo is me that somtime vvas a pearle glisteringe in the golden garlande of glorye, but novve throvven into the dust and trode in the myre of contempte. VVo is me that the salte of God novve lyeth in the dung hill, but hovve greate streames of lamentation shall vvype and purifie myne humble harte? novve I vvill adresse my selfe and turne my talke vnto God. vvhy hast thou lysted me vp and cast* 3.6 me dovvne? For as thou haste exalted me vvith the deuine vvorde of thy heauenly vvise∣dome, so me thinkes I sticke in the depth of sinne vvhich my selfe haue vvrought. I had not committed this impietie vnlesse thou hadest vvithdravven thy hande from me. But it is thy pleasure o Lorde vvhich art good to doe all thinges graciously, and I of the other side* 3.7 beinge a foole haue foolishlye fallen. But vvhy o Lorde haste thou shutt my mouth by thy holy Prophete Dauid? haue I bene the first that sinned? Or am I the first that fell? vvhy hast thou thus foresaken me, being desolate and reiected, and banished me from amonge thy saynctes, and astonyed me to preache thy lavves? vvhat man is he borne of a vvoman that sinned not? VVhat man is he that euer vvas conuersant here vpon earthe and did no iniquitie? This I say because thou haste thus forsaken me. Dauid himselfe first, vvho* 3.8 shutt vp my mouth, sinned toe bad in thy sight, yet after his repentance thou receauedst* 3.9 him in mercye. Likevvise saincte Peter the piller of trueth after his fall vvyped avvaye that bitter passion vvith salte teares, sleyinge sinne and purginge avvaye the venoume of the serpent, not continevveinge longe in the puddle of infidelitie. But they of fauour vvere thought vvorthie of mercy, and this I speake to the ende these thinges may take effect. vvo is me that I fell thus moste vvickedly. vvo is me that my aduenture in these thinges vvas so vnfortunate. but novve I humbly beseche thee o Lorde, in as much as I haue felt farre vvorse, Call me backe o Lorde for that I treade a moste perilous and ruy∣nous vvaye. Graunte me that good guide and teacher the holy Ghost, that I be not made a prickinge hedgehogge and become an habitation for deuells, but that I maye treade vnder foote the deuell vvhich trode me, and ouercomminge his sleyghtes be restored agayne to the former health and saluation. Remember not o Lord the iniquitie of thine humble suter, vvho sometime haue celebrated vnto thee, the function of priesthood. remember not o Lord the iniquity of me vvho made aunsvvere vvith vvicked language. Novve o all you vvhich

behold my vvounde tremble for feare, and take heede that ye slumber not, neither fall into the like crime: but come ioyntly vvhich haue the same measure of faith, let vs assemble together, & rent our hartes and prouoke streames of teares to gushe out of the temples of our heades. For vvhen these runne and flovve vpon the face of the earth, there vvill follovve remission of sinnes, the paynes vvyll be auoyded and the tormentes shall not be felt. I mourne & am sorie from the hart roote (O ye my frendes) that euer I fell from aloft. I haue fallen, and am brused, there is no health in me. let the Angels lament ouer me bicause of this my daungerous fall. let the garlands & crovvnes of the saincts lament ouer me, for that I am seuered from amōg their blessed assem∣blies. let blessed Aaron lament ouer me his p••••esthoode. let the holy church lament ouer me, for that I am ruynously decayed. Let all people lamente ouer me, for that I haue my deathes vvounde. I see the cloudes in the skie shadovving the lyght from me, and the sonne hydinge his bryght beames. But novve you do all see and perceaue, the prophet Dauid hath shutte the dore of my mouth. I vvas constrayned of the holie byshops to breake out into some vvordes of ex∣hortation, and takinge the booke of Psalmes in my hande I prayed and opened: and I lyghted vpon that sentence the vvhiche I am ashamed to repeate, yet compelled to pronounce: Vntò* 3.10 the vngodly sayde God: vvhy doest thou preache my lavves, and takest my couenaunt in thy mouth? But bevvayle me and lament this my bytter sorovve. bevvayle me vvhich am in like case vvith the reprobate levves. For that vvhiche vvas sayde vnto them by the Prophet, novve soun∣deth alike in myne eares. Vvhat shall I do that am thus besette vvith many mischiefes. alasse o death vvhy doest thou linger? to vvete: that thou mayest spite and beare me malice. O Satan vvhat mischiefe hast thou vvrought vnto me? hovve hast thou pearced my breast vvith thy poy∣soned darte? thinkest thou that my ruyne vvyll auayle thee any thinge at all? thinkest thou to procure vnto thy selfe ease and reste, vvhyle that I am greeuously tormented? vvho is able to si∣gnifie vnto me vvhether my sinnes be vvyped and done avvay? vvhether that I haue escaped the paynes vvhich greatly I feared? VVho is able to signifie vnto me vvhether agayne I shalbe coo∣pled and made companion vvith the saincts? O ye the saincts of God for that I am not vvorthie to heare the message of thē that bring such tidinges (but presuming farre vvorse practises) haue hearde the terrible threates of the Euangelistes. alasse ô the boosome of Abraham the vvhich I* 3.11 am depriued of▪ alasse that I became partaker vvith the ritche man of his condemnation in the horrible pitte, and partner of his thurst, in the bitter place, full of all sorovve & heauinesse. alasse ô father Abraham entreate for me that I be not cutt of from thy coasts, the vvhich I haue greatly longed after, yet not vvorthely because of my great sinne. But ô Lorde I fall dovvne before thy mercie seate, haue mercie vpon me vvhich mourne thus out of measure, vvhich haue greatly of∣fended, vvhich haue shed many salt and bitter teares, vvhose miserable case euery creature hath lamented. VVhy hast thou broken dovvne my hedge & strong holdes, the vvilde bore out of the* 3.12 vvood hath destroyed me & the vvilde beaste of the fielde hath eaten me vp. rydde me o Lorde from the roaring Lion, the vvhole assemblie of saincts doth make intercession vnto thee for me vvhich am an vnprofitable seruant, the vvhole quire of Angels do entreate thee for me vvhiche* 3.13 haue greeuously offended: that thou vvilt shevv mercy vnto the vvādering sheepe, vvhich is sub∣iect to the renting teeth of t•…•… ••uenous VVolfe. saue me o Lord out of his mouth. suffer me not to become the sacrifice of sinne, but let dovvne vpon me thy holyspirite, that vvith his firie coū∣tenance he may put to flight the crooked fiende of the deuell: that I may be brought vvhome* 3.14 againe vnto thy vvisdome: that the bill of sinne vvritten agaynste me be blotted out: that my la∣mentation may ceasse in the euening & receaue loye in the morning. let my sackcloth be rented asunder, gyrde me vvith ioye & gladnes. let me be receaued againe into the ioye of my God. let me be thought vvorthye of his kingdome, through the prayers and intercession of the sainctes, through the earnest petitions of the church, vvhich sorovveth ouer me & humbleth her selfe vnto Iesus Christ, to vvhome vvith the father and the holie ghost be all glorie and honor for euer and euer. Amen.

CAP. II.

Of the byshops of Rome and of the controuersie then raysed of Baptisme.

WHen Cornelius had ended full three yeares in the byshops seae of Rome, Lucius succee* 3.15 ded, whiche enioyed the rowme not fully eyght monethes, and after him was Stephan chosen bishop. vnto this Stephan Dionysius wrote his firste epistle of baptisme when as

at that tyme there was no small controuersie raysed: whether they which returned from any he∣resie whatsoeuer, shoulde be rebaptized, or after the auncient manner be receaued with prayer and layinge on of handes.

CAP. III.

Stephan bishop of Rome reprehendeth Cyprian bishop of Carthage for rebaptizing of heretickes.

THen firste of all Cyprian bishop of Carthage thought the heretickes no other kinde of waye* 3.16 to be admitted and purged from their errour, then by Baptisme. But Stephan thought good that nothinge shoulde be innouated, preiudiciall to the tradition preuaylinge of olde. for whiche cause he was greatly offended with Cyprian.

CAP. IIII.

Dionysius writeth vnto Stephan bishop of Rome, of the matter in con∣trouersie, and of the peace which followed after persecution.

DIonysius when he had often written vnto him of this matter at length certifieth him, that persecution beynge ceassed, all the churches enioyed peace, embraced vnitie, and detested the erroneous nouelties of Nouatus: he writeth thus: * 3.17 Vnderstand nowe o brother that all the churches throughout the east, yea and beyonde, are vnited together, whiche afore tyme were deuided, and at discorde amonge them selues. All the gouernours of the churches, euery where are at one, reioysinge exceedingly at the peace which happened beyonde all expecta∣tion. Demetrianus of Antioche, Theoctistus of Caesarea, Mezabanes of Ierusalem, Marinus of Tyrus, Alexander who is dead, Heliodorus of Laodicea which succeeded after the death of Thelymidres, Helenus of Tarsus, all the churches of Cilicia, Firmilianus and all Cappadocia. I haue onely recited the most famous Bishops, lest my epistle become ouer large, and the readinge be ouertedious. All Syria and Arabia, two wherewith ye are pleased, and to whome presently ye write, and Mesopotamia, Pontus, and Bithynia, and that I may vtter all in one worde, euery one, euery where reioyceth, glorifyinge God in concorde and brotherlie loue.* 3.18 So farre Dionysius. Stephan when he had bene byshop of Rome two yeares, dyed, and after him came Xystus in place. And to him wrote Dionysius an other epistle of Baptisme, layinge downe the censure of Stephan and the other byshops. Of Stephan he sayeth thus: He wrote an epistle toutchinge Helenus and Firmilianus, and all Cilicia, Cappadocia, Galatia and the borderinge* 3.19 nations, that he woulde not communicate with them for that cause, to weete: for that they rebaptized heretickes. Consider that this is a weyghtie matter. For truely as I heare in the grea∣test synodes of bishopes it is decreed: that such as renounce any heresie shoulde firste agayne be instructed, then be baptized and purged of the dregges, of the olde and impure leauen. And hereof I wrote vnto him requestinge him to certifie me agayne: and to our welbeloued fellowe ministers Dionysius and Philemon, who at the firste gaue their censure with Stephan, and nowe they write vnto me, to whome at the firste I wrote brieflie, but nowe at large. So farre pre∣sently of this question then in controuersie.

CAP. V.* 3.20

Of the Sabellian heresie.

MAkinge relation of the Sabellian heretickes then preuaylinge he writeth thus: For as* 3.21 much as manie brethren of both partes haue sente theyr bookes and disputations in writinge vnto me, toutchinge the impious doctrine lately sowen at Pentapolis in Pto∣lemais, contayning many blasphemies against the almightie God, and the father of our Lorde Iesus Christ, and withall muche incredulitie toutchinge his onely begotten sonne, and firste be∣gotten of all creatures, and the worde incarnate, and senselesse ignorance of the holy ghoste: Some of them I haue written as God gaue me grace, with greater instruction, and sent the co∣pies vnto you.

CAP. VI.

Dionysius being warned from aboue, read with greate profitt the bookes of heretickes.* 3.22 he thinketh that such as returne from their heresies, shoulde not be rebaptized.

DIonysius in his third epistle of Baptisme writeth thus, vnto Philemon a Romaine minister:* 3.23 I haue read ouer the traditions and commentaries of heretickes not infecting my minde with their impure cogitations, but profiting my selfe accordingly, that I reprehēded thē with my selfe, and detested them vtterly. And when I was brotherly and charitably forbidd by a certaine minister, whiche feared lest that I wallowed my selfe in the puddle of their malicious writinges, whereby my soule myght perishe, who, as it seemed me, tolde the trueth: a certaine vision came vnto me from aboue plainlie commaundinge and sayinge: Reade all whatsoeuer come into thy handes, thou shalt be able to weye, to proue, and trye all. for by this meanes at the firste thou camest vnto the faith. I thankfully receaued the vision, as agreable vnto the voice of the Apostle speakinge vnto myghtier men. Be you tryed stewardes or disposers of the myste∣ries* 3.24 of God. Agayne after he had spoken somewhat of all the heresies before his time he procee∣deth on thus. I haue receaued this canon and rule of blessed Heraclas our pope:* 3.25 Suche as returned from heretickes, though they fell from the churche, or not fell, but thought to parti∣cipate with them (yet betrayde for that they frequented the companie of one that published false doctrine) he excommunicated: neither admitted, no if they had entreated, before they had openly pronounced all they had hearde of the aduersaries, then at length he gathered them together, not requiringe that they shoulde be baptized againe. For a good whyle before they had obtained by his meanes the holie ghost. Agayne when he had largely en∣treated hereof he writeth thus▪ And I am sure of this that not onely the bishopes of Africk haue practised the like, but also the bishops our predecessours of olde in the most famous churches, and in the Synodes of the brethren at Iconium and Synadis, with the aduise of ma∣nie* 3.26 haue decreed the same. whose sentences to ouerthrovve and raise contention and bravv∣ling among the brethren I cannot awaye with. Thou shalt not (as it is written) alter the bounds of thy neighbours which thy fathers haue limited.

CAP. VII.

The same Dionysius of the Nouatian heresie.

HIs fourth epistle of Baptisme is written vnto Dionysius then a Romaine minister, but af∣terwards there placed bishop. whereby we may coniecture howe he was counted wise and famous by the testimonie of Dionysius bishope of Alexandria. he wrote vnto him after other things, in this manner of Nouatus. * 3.27 VVe are not without iuste cause offended with No∣uatus, vvhiche hath rent a sunder the churche of God, and drawen diuerse of the brethren vnto impietie and blasphemies, and hath published of God a moste impious and prophane kinde of doctrine, charging the moste louing and mercifull God vvith the title and sclaunder of im∣mercifulnesse. And moreouer he hath renounced baptisme: he hath made shipwracke of his for∣mer faith and confession: he hath chased avvay the holy ghost, vvhat hope soeuer remaines ei∣ther of the tarying or returning of the holy ghost into them againe.

CAP. VIII.* 3.28

Dionysius reporteth of one that sorowed, because he had receaued baptisme of heretickes.

THe fifte epistle of Dionysius is extant vnto Xystus bishop of Rome, where after he had writ∣ten* 3.29 many thinges againste heretickes, he reporteth this one thing which happened in his time, writing thus: In good sooth (brother) I stande in neede of aduise and counsaile, & I craue your opinion for that a certaine thing happened vnto me, vvherin I feare lest I be de∣ceaued. when the brethren were gathered together, a certaine man to all mens thinkinge of the faith, an auncient minister of the clergie before my time, & as I suppose before blessed Heraclas, beinge present vvhile some lately vvere baptized, hearinge the interrogatories and aunsvveres, came vnto me, weeping & wailing, & falling prostrate before my feete, confessed & protested

that the baptisme vvherevvith he vvas baptized of the hereticks vvas not the true baptisme, nei∣ther had it any agreement vvith that vvhich is in vre among vs, but vvas full of impietie & blas∣phemies. he sayd he vvas sore pricked in cōscience, yet durst not presume to lyft vp his eyes vnto God, for that he was christened with those prophane words & caeremonies. wherfore he prayed that he might obtaine this moste syncere purification, admission, and grace, the vvhich thinge I durst not do, but told him that the dayly communion, many times ministred, might suffice hin••. VVhen he had heard thankes geuing sounded in the churche: and he him selfe had songe there∣unto Amen: vvhen he had bene present at the Lordes table, and had streatched forth his hande to receaue that holy foode, & had communicated, and of a long time had bene partaker of the bodie and bloudē of our Lorde Iesus Christ: I durst not againe baptize him, but badde him be of good cheere, of a sure faith, and boldly to approche vnto the cōmunion of the saincts. But he for all this mourneth continually, horrour vvithdravveth him from the Lordes table, and being entreated, hardly is persvvaded to be present at the ecclesiasticall prayers. There is an other epi∣stle of his and of the congregation vnder his charge vnto Xystus, and the church of Rome, where at large he disputeth of this question. Againe there is an other vnder his name toutching Lucia∣nus vnto Dionysius bishop of Rome. But of these things thus muche.

CAP. IX.* 3.30

Howe Valerianus raysed persecution against the Christians.

THey that ruled the empire with Gallus, enioyed it not full two yeares, but were depri∣ued* 3.31 of this lyfe: And Valerianus together with his sonne Galienus succeedeth in the Em∣pire. What Dionysius wrote of him, it may be gathered by his epistle vnto Hermammon, where he sayeth: * 3.32 It vvas reuealed vnto Iohn, for a mouth vvas gyuen vnto him (sayeth he) to vtter proude speaches and blasphemyes, and povver vvas gyuen him and monethes fortie tvvo. Both thinges are vvonderfull in Valerianus, and vve haue to consider hovve that aboue all his predecessours he vvas disposed at the firste, gentle tovvardes all the men of God, meeke and friendly minded. For there vvas none of al the emperours before him so curteous and frendly af∣fected tovvards them, no not they vvhich openly vvere counted Christians: he at the firste em∣braced our men most familiarly, moste louingly, & that openly: so that his palace vvas repleni∣shed vvith professors of the fayth, and accompted for the churche of God. But the maister & ru∣ler of the Aegyptian sorcerers synagoge, persvvaded him aftervvard to slaye and persecute those syncere men and sainctes of God, as aduersaries and impugners of their moste impure, and de∣testable sorceries (for the godlye then preuayled so muche, and preuayle at this daye, that beyng present and vvith their countenance only blovving the contrarie, and resisting as it vvote vvith a little speache, scattered the bevvitchings of those detestable deuils) he brought to passe impure ceremonies, execrable inchauntmēts, and abhominable sacrifices: he made a slaughter of miserable children: he sacrificed the sonnes of infortunate parents: he searched the bovvels of the nevvly borne babes, spoyling & rentinge asunder the shaped creatures of God, as if by such haynous offences he should become fortunate. Againe after a fewe lines he saith: Macrinus offe red vp vnto them gratulatorie gyftes & presents for good lucke of the hoped empire. For before it vvas commonly blased he should be created Emperour, he respected not the consonancie of reason, neither the publique or common affaires, but vvas subiect vnto the curse of the prophet sayinge: VVo be vnto them vvhich prophecie after their ovvne hartes desyre, and respect not the publique profitte. He vnderstoode not the vniuersall prouidence and vvisdome of him vvhiche is before all, in all, and aboue all. VVerefore he is become a deadlye foe vnto the catholique and Christian fayth. He outlavved and banyshed him selfe from the mercye of* 3.33 God: and as he fledde farthest from the churche, so hath he aunsvvered the etymologie of his name. Agayne he sayeth: Valerianus vvas by his meanes dryuen and gyuen ouer vnto suche reprochefulnesse and abhominations, that the sayinge of Esaye vvas verified in him. And they (sayeth he) chose theyr ovvne vvayes and abhominations vvhiche their soules lusted after, and I vvyll selecte them theyr ovvne illusions, and recompence them theyr ovvne sinnes. This Emperoure vvas madd, and dotynge ouer the empire othervvyse then became his maiestie, not able by reason of his maymed bodye to vveare the emperiall robes, brought forth tvvo sonnes follovvers of the fathers impietie. In them vvas that prophecye manifest,

vvhere God promised to punish the sinnes of the fathers vpon the children vnto the thirde and* 3.34 fourth generation of such as hate him. he povvred his impious desires vvhereof he coulde not be satisfied, vpon the pates of his sonnes, and posted ouer vnto them his malice and spite agaynst God. So farre Dionysius writeth of Valerianus.

CAP. X.

Of the daungers that Dionysius him selfe stoode in.

BUt of the persecution wherewith himselfe was sore afflicted, & what thinges together with others he suffered, for his conscience God wards, his wordes do testifie where he inueyeth a∣gainst Germanus one of the Bishops which at that time backbited him, his words are these: I feare me lest that of necessity I fall into great foolishnes, and te••••erity, declaring the vvonder∣full pleasure of God in our behalfe.* 3.35 In so much it is commendable to conceale the secretye of the King, it is glorious to publishe abroade the vvorkes of God. Forthvvith then vvill I sett on the vvilfulnes••e of Germanus. I came vnto Aemilianus not alone, for there accompanied me my fellovve minister Maximus, & the Deacons Faustus, Eusebius, Chaeremon. Also there came vvith vs one of the bethren of Rome vvhich thē vvere present. Aemilianus sayd not vnto me specially, rayse no conuenticle: This vvoulde haue bene superfluous, and the laste of all, he hauing recourse vnto that vvhich vvas firste. His speache vvas not of making no cor••uenticles, but of that vve shoulde be no Christians at all, and commaunded me to cease henceforth from Chri∣stianitie. For he thought that if I altered my opinion diuers other vvoulde follovve me. I made him aunsvvere neyther vnreuerently, neyther tediously. VVe ought to obey rather God then* 3.36 men. Yea I spake vvith open protestation: I vvorshippe God vvhich is onely to be vvorship∣ped and none other, neyther vvill I be chaunged, neyther cease henceforth from being a Chri∣stian. This being said, he commaunded vs to departe vnto a certaine village adioyning vpon the deserte called Cephro. Novv heare vvhat is recorded to haue bene sayde of eyther partes: vvhen Dionysius, and Faustus, and Maximus, and Marcellus, and Chaeremon vvere brought forth, Aemi∣lianus sate in the Presidents rovvme. I haue signified (sayth he) by vvorde here vnto you, the cle∣mency of our leages, and Lordes the Emperours tovvardes you. They haue graunted you par∣don so that you returne vnto that vvhich nature it selfe bindeth you vnto, so that you adore the Gods vvhich garde this empire, and forgett the thinges vvhich repugne nature. VVhat aun∣svvere make you vnto these? I hope ye vvill not vngratefully refuse their clemencie in so much they counsayle you to the better. Dionysius aunsvvered: All men doe not vvorshippe all Gods, but seuerall men seuerall Gods, vvhome they thinke good to be vvorshipped. But vve vvor∣shippe and adore the one God the vvorker of all thinges, vvho committed this empyre vnto the most clement Emperours Valerianus, and Galienus, vnto vvhome also vve povvre inces∣sant prayers for their raygne, that it may prosperously continevve. Then Aemilianus the Pre∣sident sayde: VVhat lett is there I beseeche you, but that naturally you adore that your God (insomuch he is a God) together vvith these our Gods. Dionysius aunsvvered: VVe vvorshippe no other God. To vvhome Aemilianus the President sayd, I see you are altogether vnthanke∣full, you perceaue not the clemencye of the Emperours, vvherefore ye shall not remayne in this* 3.37 citye, but shal be sent into the partes of Libya, vnto a place called Cephro. This place by the commaundemente of our Emperoures, I haue picked out for you. It shall not be lavvefull for you and others to frequente Conuenticles, neyther to haue recourse (as they call them) vnto Churcheyardes. If any of you be not founde in that place vvhiche I haue appoynted for you, or in any Conuenticle lett him vnder his perill. There shall not vvante sufficient pro∣uision. departe therefore vvhither ye are commaunded. But he constrayned me, althoughe sickely to departe vvith speede, differring no not one daye, hovve then coulde I rayse or not rayse a Conuenticle? Agayne after a fewe lynes he sayth: Truely vve are not absent, no not from the corporall congregation of the Lorde: for I gather suche as are in the citye, as if I vvere present, being in deede absent in the bodye, but present in the spirite. And there con∣tinevved vvith vs in Cephro a greate congregation, partely of the brethren vvhiche follovv∣ed vs from out of the citye, and partely of them vvhiche came from Aegypt. And there God opened vnto me a dore vnto his vvorde: yet at the beginning vve suffered persecution, and stoning, but at the length not a fevve of the Panymes forsaking their carued Images, vvere

conuerted. For vnto such as before had not receaued, thē first of al we preached the word of god. And in so much that therfore God had brought vs among thē, after that the ministery was there completed, he remoued vs vnto an other place, for Aemilianus woulde transporte vs vnto more rough places of Libya, as he thought, & gaue cōmaundemēt that al from euery where should re∣paire vnto Mareòta, where he allotted vnto seuerall men, the seueral villages of that place, & cō∣maunded that we in our iourney, & first among all the rest should be preuented. for by taking vs vp by the vvay, the rest vvould easily follovv after. But I hearing we must depart from Cephro, & knowing not the place whither we were cōmaunded to go, neyther remēbred I, that euer afore, I heard it named, for al that tooke my iourney willingly, & cheerefully. But when I vnderstood we must remoue vnto Colluthio, then howe I was affected my companions knowe very well. And here I will accuse my selfe. For at the firste I fretted, and tooke it very greeuously. If places better knowne and more frequented had fallen vnto our lo••••e it shoulde neuer haue greeued me. But that place whither I should repayre was reported to be destitute of all brotherly and friendely consolation, subiect to the troublesome tumulte of trauaylers, and violent inuasion of theeues. Yet I tooke no small comforte in that the brethren toulde me it was nigh a citye. For Cephro brought me greate familiaritye with the brethren of Aegypt, so that our congre∣gation encreased▪ but there I supposed it might fall out, for that the citye was nighe, we shoulde enioye the presence of familiar, friendely, and beloued brethren, whiche would frequent vn∣to vs and refreshe vs, and that particular Conuenticles in the farther suburbes might be raysed, whiche in deede came to passe. Agayne of other thinges whiche happened vnto him, thus he wryteth: Germanus peraduenture glorieth of many confessions, and can tell a longe tale of the afflictions which he endured. but what can be repeated on our behalfe? sentences of condem∣nation,* 3.38 confiscations, proscriptions, spoyling of substance, deposition of dignities, no regarde of worldly glory, contempt of the prayses due vnto Presidents & consuls, threatnings of the aduer∣saries, the suffring of reclamations, perils, persecutions, errors, griefes, anguishes, and sundry tri∣bulatiōs which happened vnto me vnder Decius, & Sabinus, & hitherto vnder Aemilianus. novv I pray you where appeared Germanus? what rumor is blased of him? But peraduenture I bring my self into great folly for Germanus sake. The same Dionysius in his epistle vnto Domitius & Di∣dymus made mention againe of them who then were persecuted, saying: It shal seeme superfluous* 3.39 to recite the names of our men in that they were many, & to you vnknowne. For al that, take this for suertie. There were men, women, yong men, olde men, virgins & olde women, souldiers & simple men, of all sortes & sects of people: wherof some after stripes & fire were crowned victo∣rers, some after▪ sworde, some other in small time sufficiently tried, seemed acceptable sacrifices vnto the Lord. Euen as hitherto it hath appeared to suffice me, because he hath reserued me vnto an other fitt time knowne vnto him self, who sayth: in time accepted haue I heard thee, & in the* 3.40 day of saluation haue I holpen thee. And because you are desitous to vnderstand of our affayres, I vvill certifie you in what state we stande. You all hearde how I, and Caius, and Faustus, Pe∣ter and Paul, when we were ledd bounde by the Centurion, captaynes, souldiers and seruants, certayne of the brethren inhabiting Mareôta, rushed out and sett vpon vs, pulled vs which were violently drawne, and followed agaynstour will. But I truely and Caius, & Peter, alone among all the rest, depriued of the other brethren, were shutt vp in a close dungeon, distant three dayes iourney from Paraetonium, in the waste deserte and noysome contrey. Afterwardes he sayth: In the citie there hidd them selues certayne of the brethren which visited vs secretly, of the mini∣sters Maximus, Dioscorus, Demetrius, Lucius, and they that were more famous in the worlde, as Faustinus and Aquila, these now wander I wott not where in Aegypt. And of the Deacons there remained aliue after thē which died of diseases, Faustus, Eusebius, & Charemon. God strengthned and instructed this Eusebius from the beginning to minister diligently vnto the confessors in pri∣son, and to burye the bodyes of the blessed Martyrs not vvithout great daunger. And yet vn∣to this day the President ceaseth not cruelly to slay some that are brought forth: to teare in pec∣ces other some with torments: to consume other with emprisonment & fetters, commaunding that none come nigh them, & enquiring daily if any such men be attainted. For all that, God re∣fresheth* 3.41 the afflicted with cheerefulnes & frequenting of brethren. These thinges hath Dionysius writtē in y^• aforesaid epistle. yet haue we to vnderstand y^• this Eusebius whom he calleth a deacon, was in a while after, chosen bishop of Laodicea in Syria, & Maximus whom he calleth a minister: succeded Dionysius in y^• bishops sea of Alexandria. & Faustus who thē endured cōfess••ō w^t him, was

reserued vnto the persecution of our time▪ a very 〈…〉〈…〉 hauing liued many dayes, at length a∣mong vs was beheaded, and ••cowned a martyrsi•••••• were the thinges which happened vnto Dio∣nysius in those dayes.

CAP. XI.* 3.42

Of the Martyrs in Caesarea.

AT Caesarea in Palaestina, in the persecution vnder Valerianus there were three famous men, for their sayth in Christ Iesu, deliuered to be deuoured of wilde beastes, and bewtifi∣ed with diuine martyrdome. whereof the first was called Prison•• the seconde▪ Malchus, the* 3.43 thirde Alexander▪ the reporte goeth, firste of all that these men leading an obscure and contrey life, bla••••d them selues for negligence and ••touthfulnes, because they stroue not for the crowne of martyrdome but despised those maisteries, which that present time distributed to such as coue∣red after celestiall thinges, and taking further advisement therein, they came to Caesarea, they went vnto y^• iudge, •• ••nigyed the i•• 〈…〉〈…〉. Moreouer they write a certayne woman of y^• same citie in the same persecution, with like triall to haue ended her life, and as they report one that en∣clyned to the heresie of Marcion.

CAP. XII.

How that peace in the steade of persecution, was restored by the benefit•• of Galienus the Emperour.

NOt long after, Valerianus hauing subdued the Barbarians, his sonne got the supremacy••••* 3.44 and ruled the empire with better aduisement. and forthwith released and sti••••ed the ••er••••∣cution raysed agaynst vs, with publike edices, and commaunded that the Pris••de••••s and chiefe of our doctrine shoulde freely after their wonted maner execute their office & function. The coppy whereof faythfully translated out of Romaine letters and interlaced in this our history is read as followeth: The Emperour C••sar Publi••••, 〈…〉〈…〉, Galienus, vertuous, fortunate▪ Augustus:* 3.45 vnto Dionysius, Pinna, Demetrius together vvith the rest of the Bishops sendeth greeting. The be∣nefit of our gracious pardon vve commaunde to be published, throughout the vvhole vvorlde, that they vvhich are detayned in banishment, depart the places inhabited of Pagans. for the ex∣ecution vvhereof the coppy of this our edict shal be your discharge, lest any go about to molest you, and this vvhich you novv may lavvfully put in vre, vvas graunted by vs long agoe. VVhere∣fore A••••relius Cyrenius our high Constable, hath in his keeping the coppy vvhich vve deliuered vnto him. There is extant also an other constitution of his vnto other Bishops, wherein he per∣mitteth them to enioye and frequent they places called Churchyardes.

CAP. XIII.* 3.46

The famous Bishops of that time.

ABout this time was Xystus, Bishop of Rome▪ Demetrianus, after Fabius Bishop of Anti∣och:* 3.47 Firmilianus of Caesarea in Cappadocia: Gregorius ouer the Churches throughout Pontus, and his brother Athenodorus familiars of Origen. At Caesarea in Palaestina after the death of Theoctistus, Domnus was chosen Bishop, whome in a short time after, Theotecnus succee∣ded, who also was of the schoole of Origen. and at Ierusalem (Mazabanus being departed this life) Hymen••ns enioyed the Bishopricke, who liued with vs many yeares.

CAP. XIIII.

How that Marinus a souldier, through the perswasion of Theotecnus sufferedmar∣tyrdome at Caesarea.

ABout that time when as the Church enioyed peace throughout the worlde, at Caesarea in Palaestina, there was one Marinus, a famous souldier for seates of armes, of noble ••ynage,* 3.48 and great substance, beheaded for the testimony of Christ. The cause was this: There is a certayne dignity among the Romayns called the Centurions vine, the which whosoeuer doth ob∣tayne, is called a Cen••ution. When the rowme was voyde the company called Marinus to this degree: Marinus being preferred, an other came before the tribunall seate and accused him, affir∣ming

it was not lawefull by the auncient lawes for him to enioy that Romayne dignitie because he was a Christian, and sacrificed not vnto the Emperours, & that it was his turne next to come in place. the iudge being very much moued with this (his name was Achain••) firsto he demaun∣deth what opinion Marinus was of. when he saw him constantly confessing him selfe to be a Chri∣stian, he graunted him three houres space to deliberate. This being done Theotecnus Bishop of* 3.49 Caesarea calleth vnto him Marinus, from the tribunall seate, taketh him in hande with exhortati∣ons, leadeth him by the hande into the Churche, setteth him downe in the Chauncell, layeth his cloke aside, sheweth him the sworde that honge by his side, afterwards pulleth out of his pocket the newe testament, setteth it ouer agaynst the sworde, and bad him chuse whether of those two, he preferred or liked best, for the health of his soule. When he immediatly stretching forth his right hande, had taken vp the booke of holy scripture, holde fast then sayth Theotecnus vnto him, cleaue vnto God, and thou shalt enioy the thinges thou hast chosen, being strengthened by him and goe in peace. After he had returned thence, the cryer lifted his voyce and called him to appeare at the barre, the time graunted for deliberation was now ended. standing therefore at the barre he gaue tokens of the noble courage of his sayth, wherefore in a while after as he was ledd, heard the sen∣tence of condenmation and was beheaded.

CAP. XV.* 3.50

Of the fauor which Astyrius a noble man bare towards the Martyrs.

HEre is mention made of Astyrius, because of his most friendly readines and singuler good* 3.51 will he bare vnto the persecuted Christians. This man was one of the Senators of Rome, well accepted of the Emperours, in good estimation with all men, for his noble stocke, well knowne for his great substance: who being present at the execution of the Martyr, tooke vp his body, layed it on his shoulders being arayed in gorgeous and costly attyre, and prouided for him a most noble funerall. infinite other thinges are reported by his familiers to haue bene done of him, whereof diuers liued vnto this our time.

CAP. XVI.* 3.52

Astyrius by his prayers repressed and bewrayed the iuggling and deceate of Satan.

ANother straung facte is reported to haue bene practised, at Caesarea Philippi which the Phaenicians call Paneas, at those fountaynes which spring out of the foote of the mount Pa∣neius, whence the riuer Iordan hath his originall, they reporte that the inhabitants of that place haue acustomed vpon a festiual day to offer some sacrifice or other, which through the pow∣er of the deuill neuer afterwards appeared, which also seemed in the sight of the beholders a no∣table miracle. Astyrius on a time being present at the miracle, perceauing that many at the sight thereof were amazed, pitied their erroneous estate, lifted his eyes vp vnto heauen and prayed Al∣mighty God in Christ Iesus his name that Satan the seducer of that people might be bewrayed,* 3.53 and refrayned from the seducing any longer of mortal men. which when he had prayed (as the re∣porte goeth) forth with the sacrifice swomme on the top of the water, and the beholders ceased to wonder, so that from that time forth there was no such miracle seene in that place.

CAP. XVII.* 3.54

Of the image of the woman cured of the bloudy flixe, the image of Christ and of some of the Apostles.

IN so much we made mention of this citye Paneas in Caesarea Philippi, I thinke I shall offend if I passe ouer with silence a certaine historye worthy of memorie among the posteritie in time* 3.55 to come. The report goeth that the woman whose bloudy flixe we learne to haue bene cured by our Sauiour in the Gospell, was of the aforesaid citye, and that her house is there to be seene, and a worthy monument yet there to continewe of the benefitt conferred by our Sauiour vpon her.* 3.56 that there standeth ouer an high stone, right ouer against the dore of her house an image of brasse resembling the forme of a woman, kneeling vpon her knees, holding her handes before her, after the maner of supplication. Againe, that there standeth ouer against this an other image of a man,

molten of the same mettal, comely araied in a short vesture, and stretching forth his hand vnto the woman, at whose feete in the same piller there groweth vp from the grounde a certayne vnknow∣en kinde of herbe in height vnto the hemme of the brasen images vesture, curing all kind of mala∣dies. This picture of the man, they report to be the image of Iesus. it hath continewed vnto our time and is to be seene of trauellers that frequent the same citye. neyther is it any maruell at all, that they which of the Gentiles were cured by our Sauiour, made and set vp such thinges. for that we haue seene the pictures of his Apostles, to wete, of Paul, of Peter, and of Christ him* 3.57 selfe, being grauen in their colours, to haue bene kept and reserued. for the men of olde of a hea∣thenish custome, were wonte to honour after this manner such as they counted Sauiours.

The censure of the Translator toutching the afore sayd images.

TOutching the trueth of this historye we may not doubt but that there was such a towne, such a wo∣man, and of such a disease cured by our Sauiour, the holy Euangelistes doe reporte it. and that there were such images resembling Christ and the woman (monuments of memorye, and not of su∣perstition) and that there was such an herbe of so wonderfull an operation, we cannot denye, inso∣much that many doe testifie of the same, some by heare saye, and some other that they sawe it. yet thus much we may note with Eusebius in the same chapiter, that the originall erection of these and such like images was deriued from the Gentiles, who of a heathenishe custome were wont to a∣dore such as of olde tyme had benefitted them with the setting vp of their pictures for monuments in remembraunce of them. Toutching the miraculous operation of the herbe, we may assure our selues that it proceadeth neyther by vertue of the picture, neyther by the prayer of the other, being both dumbe pictures, but by some secrete permission of the wisedome of God. eyther to reduce the infidels at that tyme to the beliefe of the storye, or to admonishe the Christians that health was to be looked for, onely of Christ and no other Aduocate. after the death of Eusebius, Sozomenus (lib. 5. ec∣clesiast. hist. cap. 20.) reporteth that Iulian the Apostata tooke downe the image of Christ, and set vp his owne in the same place, which with violent fire that fell from heauen, was clefte a sunder in the breast, the heade broken of with the ••e••ke, and stickt in the grounde. for Iulian had taken downe the image of Christ, not to withdrawe the people from idolatrye, but in malice and despite of that newe religion, and erected vp his owne image to the intent the people shoulde worship it, purposely to deface Christ (euen as they doe nowe that willingly breake Gods commaundement to vpholde and mayntayne their owne traditions.) Therefore God strooke Iulianus image from heauen with lighte∣ning and rent it in peeces, so that there remayned of it (as Sozomenus writeth) reliques long after. This God did not that he was pleased with the setting vp of pictures, but in token of his wrath and dis∣pleasure against Iulian for comittinge so dispitefull a deede.

CAP. XVIII.* 3.58

Of the Bishops seae of Ierusalem.

THe Bishops seae of Iames who first by our Sauiour and his Apostles was placed Bishop* 3.59 of Ierusalem, (whome the holy Scriptures doe honour with the title of Christes brother) was vnto this tyme preserued, which thing the brethren there ordinarily succeeding haue manifestly shewed vnto all men. In so much that the Elders of olde and the men also of these our dayes haue honored the holy men and doe still honor them for pietyes sake with conuenient re∣uerence. and these thinges goe after this sorte.

CAP. XIX.* 3.60

Dionysius Bishop of Alexandria wrote of Holydayes and Easter.

DIonysius besides the afore sayd Epistles wrote at that tyme also, such epistles as are extant of Holydayes, where he entreateth of the feast of Easter, with solemne Sermons in praise thereof. The one of them he entitled to Flauius, the other to Domitius and Didymus, where he expounded the Canon, continewing the space of eyght yeares, allowing the feaste of Easter to be celebrated at no tyme but after the solsti••iall springe. Moreouer he wrote an other Epistle vnto his fellowe ministers throughout Alexandria. agayne vnto others seuerally when the tyme

of persecution was now at hande.

CAP. XX.* 3.61

Dionysius writeth of the sedition in Alexandria.

WHen as nowe peace in maner preuayled, he returned to Alexandria, where agayne that citye was so troubled with sedition and ciuill warres, that it was vnpossible for him, to visit all the brethren throughout the citye, which were diuided into both the se∣dicious partes. and agayne vpon the feaste of Easter as if he had bene in exile, he sent vnto them his Epistles, euen out of Alexandria. Afterwardes he wrote an other Epistle of Holydayes vnto Hierax Bishop of Aegypt, where he maketh mention of the sedition raysed at Alexandria* 3.62 in this sorte: It is no maruell at all, if it be greeuous for me to conferre by Epistles with them whiche are farre distant, when as it is become impossible for me to consult within my selfe, to conferte with my selfe, and myne owne proper soule. For I am constrayned to write vnto mine owne bowels, my companions and consenting brethren, citizens of the same Churche, and howe my writinges may be conueyed vnto them, seemes very difficult. a man may easier take his iourney, I saye not, without the compasse of these coastes, but from East vnto west, then trauell from Alexandria it selfe, to Alexandria. The middway of this citye is so crooked and vnmeasurable, as is that waste and crosse wildernesse, whiche the Israelites wandred in, the continewance of two generations, and as is the seae, which deuided it selfe, and walled them in compasse, deepe & penetrable, in whose high way, the Aegyptians were drowned. The calme and quiet shores resembled often tymes the redd seae, for the slaughters committed vpon them. The floode that relieued the citie, seemed sometime drier, and noysomer then the drie and stony wildernes where Israel passing, thursted so much that he murmured against Moses, & the drinke by the power of God (which onely worketh maruelous thinges) gushed out of the high rocke: sometyme agayne it so ouerflowed, that the whole region in compasse, both way & field, were aflote, and threatned the violence of mighty waters, euen such as were in the time of Noe. This floode continewally slideth, being polluted with blood, and slaughter, and drowned carkasses, much like that which in the time of Moses, was chaunged for Pharaos sake, into blood and pu∣trefaction▪ and what other floodes can purifie this waue, when all things are to be clensed with water? and howe can the Ocean seae, being wide and waste, compassing the whole worlde, season the bitternes of this seae? how can the floode running out of paradise, whose fountayne is fourefold, into the which it is deuided, flowe into one heape & washe away this shedd blood? and when can the ayre be purged of these noysome and contagious vapors? such fumigations are lifted from of the earth, such windes from out of the seae, such aër from out of floodes, such exhalations from out of hauens, as if certayne putrified ishue distilled out of rotten carkasses, & mingled it selfe with all the foure elements. and as yet they wonder and enquire whence pro∣ceade these continewal plagues, & greeuous diseases? whence proceade these infections which preuayle among vs? whence come these sundry and manifold destructions of mortall men? and wherefore can not this great citie contayne henceforth as many citizens, if they were numbred, from the cradel to dotage, as heretofore it hath bredd as they cal them graybeardes? there were in tymes past so many from forty to seuenty as now the number of all sortes can not aunsvvere. and of them also vvho heretofore from fourteene to fourescore yeares vvere assigned, and allot∣ted for distribution of bublique reliefe. Agayne they vvhich vvere yong in sight behaued them selues like elderly men, and for all that they see mankinde vvithout intermission to diminish & consume from of this earth, they tremble not, though their generall rooting out and destruction encrease and preuayle daily.

CAP. XXI.* 3.63

Of the plague at Alexandria and the humanitie which the Christians shewed vnto the heathen.

WHen the noysome infection had ouertaken these ciuill warres, and the feast of Easter now drewe nigh, he wrote letters vnto the brethren & mentioned those lamentable af∣flictions in these words: Other men thinke these times not fitt for any feaste, no more* 3.64 they are not in deede, & yet not these onely but others also vvhatsoeuer, not onely of the rest but also if any seeme most pleasaunt vnto them. now all is replenished with lamentations, euery mā doth nothing but mourne, howling soundes throughout the citie, by reason of the multitude of

dead carkasses and the daily dying▪ as it is written of the first begotten of the Aegyptians, so now a great clamor is hearde. there is no house where a deade carkase is not founde, and truely not without cause. For the calamities which happened before were grieuous & intolerable, & firste* 3.65 prouoked vs▪ and we alone though banished from the company of all men, & being deliuered ••••e•• ••o death, yet neuerthelesse at that time celebrated the feaste▪ for seuerall places of seuerall afflictions, seemed vnto vs solempne and commendable, the fielde, the wildernes, the shippe, the Inne, the prison▪ but the most ioyfull feaste the blessed martyrs did celebrate, triumphing in heauen▪ afterwards there ensued warres, & famine, which together with the heathen we endu∣red, suffring alone their injuries towards vs, & partakers with them accordingly of their priuate* 3.66 malice & miseries which they suffred. Agayne we were cherished with the peace which Christ sent for our sakes. but after that they & we had breathed a litle, this pestilēt calamity fell, a thing more terrible vnto them then any terror, & more lamentable then any calamity, & as a certaine Historiographer of their owne reported: which alone exceeded the hope & expectation of all. yet of vs not so counted, but an exercise and triall, inferior to none of the rest, yet for all that, it spared vs not, but it lighted farre heauier in the necke of the heathens. Agayne after a fewe lines* 3.67 he writeth: many of our brethren by reason of their great loue and brotherly charitie, spared not them selues, cleaued one to another, visited the sicke without warines or heede taking, attended vpon them diligently, cured them in Christ which cost them their liues, and being full of other mens maladies, tooke the infection of their neighboures, translated of their owne accorde the sorowes of others vpon them selues, cured and confirmed other sicke persons, & died most wil∣lingly them selues, fulfilling in deede the common saying: that onely friendship is alwayes to be retayned, & departing this life they seemed the ofscouring of others▪ In this sorte the best of our brethren departed this life, whereof some▪ were ministers, some Deacons, in great reuerence among the common people, so that this kinde of death for the great piety and strength of faith, may seeme to differe nothing from martyrdome▪ for they tooke the deade bodies of the Sain∣ctes, whose breasts & handes & faces lay vpward•• & closed their eyes, sh••••t their mouthes, and ioyntly with one accorde being like affectioned, embraced them, washed them, and prepared their funerals, in a litle while after they enioyed the like them selues. for that the liuing continu∣ally traced the steppes of the deade, but among the heathen all fell out of the contrary, for scarce had the pestilence taken place among them, but they contraried them selues, & fledde from the most friendly & dearest friendes, they threwe them halfe deade into the strectes, the deade they* 3.68 left vnburied to be deuoured of dogges, to the ende they might auoyde the partaking & fellow∣ship of death, which for all, that they deuised, they coulde not escape. after this epistle when the citie enioyed peace, he wrote vnto the brethren in Aegypt toutching Holydayes. and afterwards o∣ther epistles agayne. there is extant an epistle of his of the Sabaoth, an other of exercise. agayne writing vnto Hermammon and the brethren in Aegypt, he maketh mention at large of the malice of Decius and his successors, & of the peace graunted vnder Galienus. there is no cause to the con∣trary, but that the Reader may be made partaker thereof.

CAP. XXII.

Dionysius censure of Macrinus and Galienus the Emperous, and of the heresie of the Chiliasts.

MAcrinus after that he had forerunne on of the Emperours and followed after the other,* 3.69 immediatly he is rooted out with all his kinred, and Galienus is proclaymed and crow∣ned Emperour, by the consent of all men, both an auncient, & a new Emperour, being before them, but appearing after them. according vnto the saying of the Prophet Esay: the thin∣ges of old are past & beholde new things, now come in place. for euen as a cloude darkneth a li∣tle the sunne beames and shadoweth the sunne it selfe, shining in his spheare, agayne after the cloude is resolued and vanished away, the sunne vvhiche rose before the cloude shineth and taketh his course: so Macrinus vvho intruded him selfe before the present raygne of Gali∣enus is novve no Emperour, no more he vvas not then. but this man like him selfe, as he vvas then, so is he novve. and the empire it selfe, laying aside heauy and vvrinckled olde age, and purged of the former malice, novve florisheth a freshe, is hearde and seene further, pear••eth and preuayleth ouer all. Then he sheweth the tyme of his writing saying thus: It commeth in my minde to consider the yeares of these Emperours raygne. I see hovve the moste impious vvere* 3.70

famous in deede, but in a short vvhile after they became obscure. yet this holy and blessed Em∣perour hauing past the seuenth, novve endeth the* 3.71 nynth yeare of his raygne, the vvich vve vvill celebrate for holy daye. Besides all these he wrote two bookes of the promises of God▪ the occasion whereof was such. One Nepos a Bishop of Aegypt taught y^• the promises of God made* 3.72 vnto holy men in the Scriptures, were to be vnderstoode after the Iewish maner, sauoring 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much of Iudeisme. he layd downe for good doctrine that after the resurrection we shoulde lead•• a life here on earth in corporall pleasures the space of a thousande yeares. and because be suppo∣sed that he was able to iustifie this his opinion, out of the reuelation of Sainct Iohn, he wrote a booke thereof, and entitled it the reprehensions of Allegorizers. This booke doth Dionysius, in his workes (intitled of the promises of God) confute. In the first helayeth downe his censure of that doctrine, in the seconde he entreateth of the reuelation of Sainct Iohn, in the beginning of which booke he writeth thus of Nepos.

* 3.73 CAP. XXIII.

Of the booke of Nepos the Chiliast, the quiet conference and disputation betwene Dionysius and Coracion the Chiliast with the frute thereof.

THey alleadge (sayth Dionysius) a certaine booke of Nepos, vvhereupon they grounde that vvithout all peraduenture the kingdome of Christ to become here on earth, may be proued.* 3.74 for sundry other his gifts I commende and embrace Nepos, partly for his fayth, his diligence and exercise in holy Scriptures, partly also for his pleasaunt psalmodie, vvhervvith at this day many of the brethren are delighted. I highly esteeme & reuerence the man, specially for such a one as novve is departed to rest: yet the trueth is our friende and afore all to be reue∣renced▪ and if any thing be vvell spoken, it deserueth commendation, and is charitably to be ac∣cepted, if ought seeme not soundly to be written, it is to be searched out and refuted. If he were present and auoutched his doctrine by vvorde of mouth, it shoulde suffice vvithout vvriting to conferre by obiections and resolutions, to refell and reconcile the aduersaries. but in so much there is extant a booke thereof, as some suppose very probable, and many doctors sett nought by the lavve and Prophets, they take scorne to be tryed by the Euangelists, they contemne the vvorkes of the Apostles, alleadging the doctrine of this vvriter, as a thing most notable, and an hidd secret, they suffer not the simpler sorte of the brethren, to conceaue any high or magnifical thing, neither of the glorious and right godly comming of our Lorde, neyther of our resurrecti∣on from the deade, our gathering together and vniting vvith him, but trifling toyes and mortall affayres persvvading these present things to be hoped for in the kingdome of God▪ it is necessa∣ry vve deale by vvay of reasoning vvith our brother Nepos as if he vvere present. vnto these he ad∣deth: VVhen I vvas at Arsenoita, vvhere as thou knovvest this doctrine first sprang, so that schis∣mes* 3.75 and manifest fauling avvay from the Church, fell out in those congregations: I called to∣gether the Elders and doctors inhabiting those villages, in presence of as many of the brethren as vvillingly came, and exhorted them openly to fift out this doctrine▪ & when as they brought me forth this booke, as an armed fence and inuincible fortresse, I sate with them from morning to night, whole three dayes, discussing those thinges which therein were written, where I won∣dred at the constancy, desire of the trueth, intelligence or capacitie, and the tractablnes of the brethren, how orderly and vvith what moderation they obiected, they aunswered, they yelded, neither endeuored they by any kinde of way contentiously to retayne their positions, if they were proued false: neither bolted they contradictions, but as much as in them lay, stucke fast & confirmed their purpose▪ and yet agayne where reason required they chaunged their opinion, & were not ashamed to confesse the trueth together with vs, but with good conscience all hypo∣crisie layd aside, their harts made manifest vnto God, they embraced such thinges as vvere pro∣ued by demonstrations and doctrine of holy Scripture. and at length the graundecaptayne and ringleader of this doctrine called Coracion, in presence of all the auditors then in place, confes∣sed* 3.76 and promised vnto vs that thenceforth he vvoulde neuer consent vnto this opinion, neyther reason of it, neyther mention, neyther teach it, for that he vvas sufficiently conuinced vvith con∣trary arguments. the rest of the brethren then present reioyced at this conserence, at this his sub∣mission and consent in all thinges.

CAP. XXIIII.

The censure of Dionysius toutchinge the reuelation of Sainct Iohn.* 3.77 The heresie of Cerinthus.

COnsequently in discourse be wryteth thus of the reuelation of Sainct Iohn: Diuerse of our* 3.78 predecessors haue vvholy refused & reiected this booke, & by discussing the seuerall cha¦piters thereof haue founde it obscure & voyde of reasons, & the title forged▪ they sayde it vvas not Iohns, nay it was no reuelation which was so couered with so grosse a vayle of igno∣rance, and that there was none either of the Apostles or of the Saincts, or of them which belon∣ged to the church, the author of this booke, but Gerinthus the author of the Cerinthian heresie, intitling this as a sigment vnder the name of Iohn for further credit & authoritie. The opinion of Cerinthus was this▪ that the kingdome of Christ should be here on earth, and looke what he him selfe being very carnall lusted after, for the pampering of his pāch, the same he dreamed should come to passe, to wete: the satisfiyng of the bellye and the thinges vnder the belly with meates drinks, mariages, festiuall dayes, sacrifices & slaughters for oblatiōs, whereby he imagined he should conceaue greater ioy & pleasure. but I truely durst not presume to reiect this booke, be∣cause that many of the brethren read it diligently, & conceaued a greater opinion thereof, then the vnderstanding my capacitie atayned vnto. I surmise there is a certaine hidd and wonderfull expectation of thinges to come contayned in the seuerall chapiters thereof▪ for where I vnder∣stand him not, I bethinke my selfe the words contayne a deeper sense, or more profound vnder∣standing: neither do I sift or pronounce sentence of these, after my grosse vnderstanding, but re∣sting rather with fayth, doe forthwith thinke they are higher then may be vnderstoode of me▪ neither doe I vnaduisedly refute the thinges I perceaued not, but rather maruell that I my selfe haue not manifestly seene them▪ after these things Dionysius alloweth of all y^• doctrine contained in the reuelacion, & declareth that it is impossible to vnderstande the meaninge thereof, by light reading ouer of the letter, writing thus: vvhen he had finished (as I may so terme it) all the pro∣phecy, the prophete pronounceth them happie which kepe it, yea himselfe to▪ happy (sayth he)* 3.79 is he which keepeth the words of the prophecy of this booke, & I Iohn savv these things & heard. wherefore I denyonot but that his name was Iohn, and that this worke is Iohns. I thinke verely the booke is of some holy mā, indued with the holy Ghost▪ but that it is the Apostles, the sonne of Zebedie, the brother of Iames, whose is the gospell intitled after Iohn, and the Catholicke epi∣stle, I can hardely be brought to graunt, for I coniecture by the behauiour of both, by theyre frase of wryting, & drift of the booke, that he was not the same Iohn. The euangelist layd downe no where his name, neyther preached he himselfe, ether by gospell or epistle. Againe after a fewe lines he sayeth: Iohn no vvhere made mention as of himselfe, or of any other, but the au∣thor of the reuelation forthvvith in the begininge of the booke prefixed his name, sayinge: The* 3.80 reuelation of Iesus Christ vvhich he gaue him that he should shevve vnto his seruantes thinges vvhich shortly must be done, vvhich he sent and shevved by his Angell vnto his seruant Iohn, vvho bare record of the vvord of God, and of the testimony of Iesus Christ, & of all things that he savve. Againe Iohn, vvryteth an epistle vnto the seuen Churches in Asia. Grace be vvith you and peace. The Euangelist prefixed not his name, no not to his Catholicke epistle, but orderly* 3.81 beginnes of the mysterie of Gods seerets after this manner: that vvhich vve hearde, that vvhiche vve savve vvith our eyes▪ for the like reuelation the Lord pronounced Peter blessed, saying: hap¦py* 3.82 art thou Simon bar Iona, for fleshe and bloode haue not reuealed that vnto thee, but my fa∣ther vvhich is in heauen▪ and yet neyther in the seconde, neyther in the thirde epistles common∣ly vnder his name, for all the shortnes thereof, is his name prefixed, but vvithout name, vvrote himselfe an elder. The author hereof not contente after once naming himselfe, to prosecute the* 3.83 matter he had in hand, but againe repeateth and sayth: I Iohn your brother & partener in tribu∣lation, and in the kingdome and pacience of Iesu, vvas in the Ile patmos for the vvord of God,* 3.84 and the testimony of Iesu. and about the end he vvriteth thus: happy is he that keepeth the vvordes of the prophecie of this booke, and I Iohn heard and savve these things. vvherefore vve haue to beleue that one Iohn vvrot these things according vnto this his saying, but vvhat Iohn he vvas it is vncertayne▪ he named not himselfe as in sundry places of the gospell, the disciple belo∣ued of the Lord, neyther him vvhich leaned on his brest, neyther the brother of Iames, neyther himselfe vvhich savve and hearde the Lord, no doubt he vvoulde haue vttered one or other of

these had he bene disposed to reueale himselfe▪ he layd dovvne not one of these but called him selfe our brother and partener, the vvitnesse of Iesu, and happie because of the vision and hea∣ringe of the reuelations. I suppose there vvere many of the same name, vvith the Apostle Iohn, vvho for the loue they bare vnto him, and for that they had him in admiration and imitated his stepps, vvoulde be loued alike of the Lord, and therefore vsurped this name, euen as Paul and Peter are often repeated of faythfull vvryters. There is an other Iohn in the Actes of the Apostles* 3.85 vvhose sirname vvas Marke, vvhome Barnabas and Paul tooke together vvith them, of vvhome he sayth aftervvards: they had Iohn to theyr minister▪ and vvhether this vvas he that vvrote the reuelation I dare not affirme. it is not recorded that he came vvith them into Asia▪ for vvhē they loosed (sayth he) from Paphos, they vvhich accompanied Paul came to Perga in Pamphi∣lia. but Iohn departed from them and returned to Ierusalem. and I take him to be some other of them vvhich vvere in Asia. the report goeth that there are tvvo monumēts at Ephesus and e∣ther* 3.86 of them beares the name of Iohn. agayne if thou consider and vveye the sense, the vvordes, & the frase of them, not vvithout iust cause shall he be found an other & not the Euangelist▪ the gospell and the epistle do ansvvere one an other, theyr beginings are a like. The Gospell: In the begining (sayth he) vvas the vvorde. The epistle: that vvhich vvas (sayth he) from the begining The Gospell: and the vvord (sayth he) became fleshe and dvvelled among vs, and vve savve the glorie thereof, as the glorie of the onely begotten of the father. The epistle hath the like but o∣thervvise placed: that vvhich vve heard (sayth he) that vvhich vve savv vvith our eyes, that which vve behelde & our hands haue handled of the worde of life, & the life vvas made manifest. for to this ende he vsed this p••eface, as in processe more playnely appeareth to impugne the hereticks vvhich affirmed that Christ vvas not come in the flesh. vvherefore diligently he ioyned these to∣gether: and vve testifie vnto you that vve savve, and shevve vnto you the euerlasting life vvhich vvas vvith the father, and appeared vnto vs, vvhich vve savve and heard that declare vve vnto you here he stayeth and svvarueth not from the purpose, but throughout all the seuerall chapi∣ters,* 3.87 inculcateth all the names, vvhere of some breefly I vvill repeate. he vvhich diligently rea∣deth shall often finde in both, life, often light, dehortinge from darkenes, very oft trueth, grace, ioye, the fleshe and blood of our Lord, iudgement, remission of sinnes, the loue of God towards vs, a commaundement to loue one an other, that all the commaundements are to be kept, repre¦hension of the world, the deuell, & Antichrist, promise of the holy ghost, adoption of God, fayth euery vvhere required of vs, euery vvhere the father and the sonne: and if throughout all the cha∣racter of both vvere noted, the frase of the gospell & epistle shalbe found altogether on. but the reuelation farre differeth frō both, resembleth not the same, no not in one vvord, neither hath it any one syllable correspondēt to the other vvrytings of Iohn. for the epistle (I vvill say nothing of* 3.88 the Gospell) neuer thought vpon, neither made any mention of the reuelation, neither the reue∣lation on the other side, of the epistle, vvhen as Paul gaue vs an inklinge, or somvvhat to vnder stand in his epistles of his reuelations, yet not intitling them so, that he vvould call them reuela∣tions moreouer by the frase thereof vve may perceaue the difference betvvene the Gospell, the* 3.89 epistle and the reuelation▪ for they are vvrytten so artificially accordinge vnto the greeke frase, vvith most exquisit vvords, syllogismes and setled expositions, that they seeme farre from offen∣ding, in any barbarous terme, soloecisme, or ignorāt error at all. for the Euangelist had (as it ap∣peareth)* 3.90 both the gift of vtterance & the gift of knovvledge, for as much as the Lord had graū∣ted him both the grace of vvisdom & science. as for the other I vvll not gaynsay but that he savv a reuelation, but that also he receaued science and prophecy, yet for all that I see his greeke not exactly vttered, the dialect and proper frase, not obserued, I find him vsing barbarous frases, & in some places soloecismes, vvhich presentlye to repeate I thinke it not necessary, neither vvrite I these thinges findinge fault vvith oughte, lett no man accuse me thereof, but onely I doe vvey the diuersitie of both vvorkes.

CAP. XXV.* 3.91

The epistles and workes of Dionysius. b. of Alexandria.

BEsides these there are extante other epistles of Dionysius whereof some he wrote agaynst Sabellius vnto Ammon byshop of Bernice▪ afterwards on to Telesphorus, one to Euphranor, an other to Ammon and Euporus. of the same argument he wrote foure bookes and dedicated

them to Dionysius (of the same name with him) byshop of Rome. againe sundry other epistles and volumes in forme of epistles as his Physicks dedicated vnto his sonne Timotheus. An other tracte of temptations the which also he dedicated to Euphranor. And wrytinge to Basilides byshop of Pentapolis diocesse, he reporteth him selfe in the beginninge to haue published commentaries vpon Ecclesiastes: he left behinde him sundry epistles for the posteritie. But so farre of Dionysius workes. Nowe it remayneth that we deliuer vnto the posteritie the history of this our age.

CAP. XXVI.* 3.92

Of Dionysius byshop of Rome. of Paulus Sam••satenus the H••reticke, denyinge the diuiniti•• of Christ, and the Synode held•• at Antioch, condem∣ninge his heresie.

WHen Xystus had gouerned the Churche of Rome, eleuen yeares, Dionysius (of the same* 3.93 name with him of Alexand••ia) succeeded him. About that time also when Demetria∣nus byshop of Antioch had departed this life, Paulus Samosatenus came in his place. And because he thought of Christ basely, abiectly, and contrary to the doctrine of the Church, to wete: that he was by nature a common man as we are: Dionysius byshop of Alexandria was sent for to the Synode, who by reason of his greate age & the imbecilitie of his body, differred his comminge, and in the meane while wrote his censure of the sayde question in an epistle▪ the other byshops, one from one place, an other from an other place hastened to Antioch and mett with the rotten sheepe which corrupted the flocke of Christ.

CAP. XXVII.* 3.94

Of the famous byshops which were present at the Synode helde at Antioch.

AMonge these as chiefe florished Firmilianus byshop of Caesarea in Cappadocia: Gregorius* 3.95 and Athenodorus who were bretherne and byshops of the Churches in Pontus. besides these Elenus byshop of Tarsus and Nieomas byshop of Iconium. Moreouer Hymenaus by∣shop of Ierusalem, Theotecnus byshop of C••sarea in Palaestina, and Maximus byshop of Bostra. I might haue repeated an infinite mo, both ministers and deacons who mett for the same cause at Antioch, but these aforenamed were the most famous amonge them▪ When all came together at seuerall times and sundry sessions they did argue and reason hereof. Samosatenus together with his complices endeuored to couer and conceale the variablenes of his opiniō: but the rest practi∣sed with all might possible, ••o saye bare and ••ett wyde open his blasphemy against Christ. In the meane while Dionysius byshop of Alexandria departed this life, the twelfe yeare of Galienus his raygne, after he had gouerned the Churche of Alexandria seuenteene yeares, and him suc∣ceeded Maximus.

CAP. XXVIII.* 3.96

Of Claudius the Emperour, and the seconde Synode held at Antioch, where Malchion confuted Samosatenus.

WHen Galienus had raygned vnder the regall scepter the space of fifteene yeares: Clau∣dius* 3.97 his successor was created Empetour. This Claudius hauinge continewed two yeares, committed the empire to Aurelianus, vnder whome was summoned the last & the greatest synode of all, celebrated of many bishops, where the author of that heresie and straūg doctrine was taken shorte, publiquely condemned of all, seuered, banished & excommunicated the Catholicke and vniuersall Church vnder heauen. and among all the rest Malchion a man besides sundry other his gifts, very eloquent & skilfull in sophistry, moderator in morall discipline of the schole at Antioch & for his sincere faith in Christ, made minister there of the same congregatiō: reproued him in reasoning for a slippery waueringe, and obscure marchant▪ he so vrged with rea∣sons this Samosatenus, and the notaries penned them (which vnto our tyme were extant) that a∣lone of all the rest he was able to ••osse and wringe this dissemblinge and wily hereticke.

CAP. XXIX.

The Epistle of certaine byshops contayninge the Actes of the Synode helde at Antioch* 3.98 against paulus Samosatenus and of the heretickes life and trade of liuing.

WIth vniforme consent of all the byshops then gathered together they wrote an epistle vnto Dionysius byshop of Rome & Maximus byshop of Alexandria, & sen•• it abrode into all prouinces, in the which they reuealed vnto the world their great labor & industry, the peruerse variablenes of Paulus, the reprehensions and obiections proposed against him, his conuersation & trade of liuing. whereof for memories sake I thinke it not amisse to alleage some part for the posterity which is thus written: Vnto Dionysius & Maximus, and all our fellowe by∣shops,* 3.99 elders & deacons throughout the worlde, & to the whole, vniuersall & catholicke church vnder heauen: Helenus, Hymenaeus, Theophilus, Theotecnus, Maximus, Proclus, Nicomas, Aemilia∣nus, Paulus, Bolanus, Protegenes, Hierax, Entychius, Theodorus, Malchion, Lucius, with all the o∣ther byshops who with vs inhabite the borderinge cyties and ouersee the nations, togetherwith the elders and deacons, and holy Churches of God: to the beloued brethren in the Lord sende greeting. Vnto this salutation after a fewe lines they added as followeth: VVe haue cited hy∣ther many byshops from farre, to salue and cure this deadely and poysoned doctrine, as Diony∣sius byshop of Alexandria, & Firmilianus byshop of Caesarea in cappadocia, men blessed in the Lord, whereof the one writinge hither to Antioch, voutchsafed not once to salute the author of error, for he wrot not to his person but to the whole congregation, the coppy whereof we haue here annexed. but Firmilianus came twise, and condemned his straunge doctrine as we knowe very well and testifie which were present, together with many other besids vs, for when Paulus* 3.100 promised to recante, & this man beleeued and hopped he woulde redresse and preuent this oc∣casiō without all contumely & reproch which might redound vnto the true doctrine, he differ∣red & posted ouer his opiniō from time to time, being seduced no doubt by him which denied God & his Lord & swarued frō the faith he held at the beginning. This Firmilianus in his iour∣ney to Antioch came as farte as Tarsus, hauing experimēt in Christ of his malicious spite, wher∣with he denied God, but whilest that we assemble together, whilest we summone him, & waite for his comming he departed this life. againe of the life of Samosatenus, and his conuersation they* 3.101 write thus in the same epistle: After that he forsooke the ecclesiasticall canon he fell vnto vn∣lawefull & forged doctrine. neither is it behoueable for vs nowe to iudge of an aliene, ether to descant howe at the first he was poore & nothing bequeathed him of his parents, & that neither by art, trade or exercise he attayned vnto the aboundāce of welth, which he enioyned, but with lewdacts & sacriledge, by iniurious & tyrannicall oppressiō of the brethren, whom he made to tremble for feare, with his guyleful gaine & wilie promise of hired patronship, by which subtle∣ty & deceate he gayned so much that he procured the geuers to be liberall, to thend they might* 3.102 be deliuered from their aduersaries, and so he turned godlines into gaine. neyther neede vve to speake here of hovve that he being puffed vvith pride vsurped seculer dignities, & vvould rather be called a vvarlicke captaine then a byshope of the Churche, vvalkinge stately throughout the streets, and market place, reading letters & vvithall openly enditing, maintaining about him a great troope to gard his person, some going before & some coming after, so that our faith & re∣ligion runne to great spite, sclaunder and hatred by reason of his svvellinge pride & hautye dis∣dayne. neither vvill vve reherse the monstrous figmentes vvhich he fayned, his glorious braggs, the vglesome spectacles he deuised to amaze the minds of the simpler sort. he made for him self* 3.103 a lofty seate & high throne, not like the disciple of Christ but seuered in shevve & title, after the manner of the princes of this vvorlde smyting, the thighe vvith the hand, pouncinge the foote∣stole vvith his feete. If any extolled him not as the vse is vpon theatres, vvith clappinge of theyr handes, vvith shoutinge and hurlinge of theyr cappes: if any also both of men and vvomen had not skipped to and fro vvith busie bodies, & vndecent obeysance: if any as in the house of God had behaued themselues honestly and decently the same he checked and all to be reuiled. He inueyed vvithout all reason in the open assemblyes against the expositors of holy scripture, vvhich then vvere departe to rest: he auaunted him selfe more like a sophister and sorcerer then a byshop: the psalmes song in the Church to the laud of our Lord Iesus Christ, lie remoued coū∣ting them nevve found figments of late vvriters, in stede vvvherof, in the middest of the church vpon the high feast of Easter he suborned certaine vvomen vvhich sounded out sonnets to his

praise, the which if any now heard, his heare woulde stand staringe on his head. he licenced the bishops & ministers of the adioyning villages & cities which honored him, to preache vnto the people. he staggereth at confessing with vs that the sonne of God descended from heauen. And that we may borowe somwhat of that which hereafter is to be spokē of vs, it shall not be barely •…•…ch••d, ••••t 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out of the cōme••ari•••• published by vs vnto the whole worlde specially where he sayth that Christ Iesus is of the earth. They which sound out his cōmendation & extoll him among the people, affirm•• this wicked & most detestable var••ett to be an angell that came •…•…uē. neither forbiddeth he these things, but stādeth arrogātly to the things spokē of him▪ what shall I speake of his entertainmēt of associated & closly kept womē as they of An∣••••oth terme 〈…〉〈…〉 & of the 〈…〉〈…〉 & deaco•• which accōpany him, wherwith w••••tingly he clo∣••••th this & sundry other haynous, incurable, & well knowen offences, to the ende he may with∣hold them also ••••••lty together with him in those things the which both in word & deede he of∣••••ideth in, daring not to accuse him insomuch they thē selues are gilty in their cōsciences of the same crime. for he enritcheth thē, wherfore he is both beloued & honored of thē that gape after the like gudgins. we knowe beloued brethrē that a bishop and the whole order of priesthoode ought to be a paterne of good works vnto the cōmō people, neither are we ignorāt of this, that many are fallē because of the closly kept women, & many againe are subiect to suspiciō & slaū∣der. wherfore admitt that he cōmitted no lewde wantones vvith thē, yet should he haue feared the suspiciō & surmise vvhich riseth therof, lest that either he shold offend any, or bolden any to the ••••itatiō off••levvde an exāple for hovv cā hereprehend & admon••she an other, that (as it is vv••••••••en) he 〈…〉〈…〉 lōger the cōpany of an other vvoman, & that he take heede he fall not. vvhich novv abstaineth from one, & in stede therof, retaineth tvvo lustier & liuelyer peeces at home, & if he trauell anyvvhither, he leadeth thē vvith him being al set vpon the full & delicate pleasure. For vvhich 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cūstance, all do sobbe & sighe secretly, trē••ling at his povver & tyrannie, & dare nor accuse him, but these things as vve haue sayd before are of such importāce that they vvould cause a catholicke person vvere he neuer so deare a frende vnto vs, to be sharply rebuked. As for him vvhich fell from the mysterie of our faith, & discried the det••stable heresie of Artemas (no∣thing amisse if novv at lēgth vve name the father of the child) we thinke him neuer able to rēder accōpta of his mischeuous actes. Againe about the end of the epistle they write thus: * 3.104 vvherfore necessitie cōs••taining v•• so to do vve excōmunicated the svvorne aduersary of God vvhich yel∣ded not a lote, & placed in his rovvme Dōn••s a mā bedecked vvith allgifts required in a bishop, sōne to Dem••••ri••••us of vvorthy memory the predecessor of Paulus, & him as vve are pesvvaded, by the prouidēce of God, vve ordained bishop, & certified you to vvrite vnto him, to the ende ye like vvise might receaue from him againe letters of friendly cōsent, & amitie. novv let Paulus vvrite to Artemas, & let the cōplices of Artemas cōmunicate vvith him. But of these things thus farre. Paulus together with his right faith was depriued also of his bishoprike, & Domnus (as it is written before) succeeded him, being chosen by the synode bishop of Antioch. & whē Paulus would not depart the church, neither voyde the house, the emperour Aurelianus being besought, decreed very well, & cōmaūded by edi••••▪ the house should be allotted for such as y^• bishops of Italic & Rome with vniforme cōseut in doctrine▪ appointed for the place. After this sort was Paulus with greate shame, vanished y^• church by secular power. & thus was Aurelianus thē affected towards vs, but in processe of time he so e••••raunged him selfe, that welnygh through the lewde motion of some men he moued persecution against vs, & much talke was blased farre & nygh toutching him. * 3.105 but whē he had raysed persecution against vs, & now welnygh subscribed to a publicke edict preiudicial to our affaires, the iust iudgement of God ouertooke him & hindred his purpose, crāping as it were his knuckles, making manifest vnto all men, that the princes of this world, haue neuer any power to practise ought against the church of God, vnlesse the inuincible myght of God, for discipline & conuersion of his people according vnto his deuine & celestiall wisdome graunt pardon or licence to bring any thing about, in what time it shall please him best. When Aurelianus had held the im∣periall scepter the space of sixe yeares, * 3.106 Probus succeeded him. And agayne after sixe yeares Ca∣rus came in his place, together with Carinus and N••••erianus his sonnes. Againe when these had continewed scarse three yeares Diocletianus was chosen emperour. and by his meanes they were promoted, vnder whome persecution and the ouerthrow of the churches preuayled. a little before the raygne of this Dioclet••••••, Di••••y••••••s byshop of Rome dyed, when he had gouerned the church nyne yeares, whome Feli•• succeeded.

CAP. XXX.

Of Manes whereof the Maniches are called, whence he was, his conuersation and heresie.

ABout that tyme Manes (after the etymologie of his name) in no better taking than a 〈…〉〈…〉 man, was in armour and instructed in a deuelishe opinion through the peruersitie of his* 3.107 minde, the deuell and satan the aduersari•• of God, leading and procuring him to the perdi∣tion of many soules. He was in tongue and trade of life very barbarous, by nature possessed and frenticke, he practised things correspōdent vnto his witte and maners, he pres••••••ed to represent the person of Christ, he proclaimed him selfe to be the comforter and the holy ghost, and beynge puffed vp with this frenticke pride, chose as if he were Christ, twelue partners of his new found doctrine, patching into one heape false and detestable doctrine, of olde, rotten, and ro••ted out he∣resies, the which he brought out of Persia, for no other then deadly poyson into the world, wh•••••• that abhominable name of the Maniches hath had his originall.

CAP. XXXI.* 3.108

Of the bishops, ministers, and other famous men florishing at that tyme in the churches of Rome, Antioch, and Laodicea.

SVch a fained name of false science sprong vp in those tymes in the which after Felix had go∣uerned* 3.109 the churche of Rome fiue yeares, Eutychianus succeeded. who continewinge seares tenne moneths committed his cleargie vnto Gaius, in this our time, and fyfteene yeares after Marcellinus followed, whome also the persecution ouertooke. In the churche of Antioch after Domnus succeeded Timaeus, after him in our tyme Cyrillus was chosen bishop, vnder whome we remēber one Dorotheus, then minister of the churche of Antioch to haue bene a very eloquent and singuler man. he applyed holy scripture diligently, he studied the Hebrewe tongue so that he read with great skill the holy scriptures in Hebrewe. This man came of a noble race, he was expert in the chiefe discipline of the Grecians, by nature an eunuch so disposed from his natiuitie. for which cause the emperour for rarenesse therof, appropriated him, placing & preferringe him to the purple robe in the citie of Tyrus. we hearde him our selues expounding holy scripture with great cōmendation in the churche of God. Tyrannus succeeded Cyrillus in the churche of Antloch, in whose tyme the spoile of churches was very ryfe. Eusebius whiche came from Alexandria, go∣uerned the church of Laodicea after Socrates. The sturre about Paulus Samosatenus was the cause of his remouing, for whose sake he wēt into Syria, where of the godly he was hindred that he coulde not returne home againe, because he was the desired Jewell & hoped staye of our religion,* 3.110 as by the testimonie of Dionysius hereafter alleaged shall manifestly appeare. Anatolius succeeded him, the good (as they say) after the good, who also was of Alexandria. for his eloquence and skill in the Grecians discipline and philosophicall literature, he bare the bell among all the famous of our time, he excelled in Arithmeticke, Geometric, Astronomie, Logicke, physical cōtemplatiō, and rhetoricall exercises: for whiche his excellencie he was chosen moderator of Aristotels schoole, by the cytizens of Alexandria. They report at Alexādria many other famous acts of his, specially his behauiour at the slege of Pyruchium▪ where he ob••••yne•• a singuler prerogatiue of principalitie, of whose doings one thing for example sake I will rehearse. When vittaile (as they say) fayled such as were vesieged, and famine pressed them sorer then foraine enemies, this same Anatolius brought this deuise to passe. whereas the one part of the citie helde with the Romaine* 3.111 hoast, and therfore out of the daunger of the slege, he gaue information to Eusebius, who then was at Alexandria (it was before his departure into Syria) and conuersant amonge them which were not besieged, in great estimation and credite with the Romaine captaine, howe that such as were besieged almost perished for famine. he beinge made priuie to their miserie by the messengers of Anatolius, craued pardon of the Romaine captaine for such as left & forsooke the enemie▪ which sute when he had obtained, he communicated with Anatolius. he forthwith accepting of his pro∣mise, assembleth together y^• senate of Alexandria, & first requesteth of thē all, that they will ioyne in league with the Romaines. when he sawe them all sett in a rage at this his request be sayd: but yet in this I suppose you will not resist, if I councell you to permitt such as stand you in no stede, as olde men, and olde women, and children, to depart the cytie, & to repaire whither please them.

for to what purpose do we retaine these among vs nowe ready to yelde vp the ghost? to what pur∣pose do we presse with famine such as are maymed and wounded in bodie? when as men onely, and yonge men, are to be releaued, and retayned, and prouision of necessary foode, is to be founde for them which keepe the citie, with contine wall watch and warde. when he had perswaded the senate with these and the like reasons, firste of all he rose and pronounced that all such, of what age soeuer, as were not fitte for feates of armes, were they men or women, myght boldly passe and depart the citie, affirminge that if they woulde remaine and lynger in the cytie like vnpro∣fitable members, there was no hope of life, they must nedes perishe with famine. to which saying the whole seuate condescended, so that he deliuered from daunger of death, in maner as many as were besieged, but specially those that were of the churche. Agayne he perswaded to flyght all the christians throughout the citie, not onely such as were within the compasse of the decree, but infinite mo, vnder colour of these, priuely arrayed in womens attyre, & carefully he prouided that in the nyght season they should conuey them selues out at the gates, and flye vnto the Romaines campe, where Eusebius entertained all them that were afflicted with longe siege, after the maner of a father and phisition, and resteshed them with all care and industrie. Such a coople of pastors orderly succeeding one an other, did the church of Laodicea, by the diuine prouidence of God en∣ioye, who after the warres were ended came thither from Alexandria. we haue seene many peces of Anatolius works, whereby we gather how eloquent he was, howe learned in all kind of know∣ledge, specially in those his bookes of Easter, wherof at this present, it may seeme necessary that we alleage some portion of the canons toutching Easter: The nevy moone of the first moneth &* 3.112 first yeare (sayth he) cōpriseth the originall cōpasse of nineteene yeares, after the Aegyptians the sixe & tvventieth day of the moneth Phamenoth: after the Macedocians the xxij. day of the mo∣neth Dystros: after the Romaines before the eleuenth of the calends of Aprill. the sonne is found the xxvj. of Phamenoth to haue ascended not onely the first line, but also to haue passed therin the iiij. day. this section, the first tvvelfe part, they terme the aequinoctiall spring, the entrance of moneths, the head of the circle, the seuering of the planets course. but that sectiō vvhich forego∣eth this, they terme the last of the moneths, the tvvelfe part, the last tvvelfe part, the ende of the planets course. vvherefore they vvhich appoynted the first moneth for the same purpose & cele∣brated the feast of Easter the fourteenth daye after the same calculation, haue erred in our opi∣nion not a little. and this haue vve not alleaged of our ovvne brayne, yea it vvas knovven of the Ievves of old, and that before the comming of Christ, and chiefely by them obserued. The same may be gathered by the testimonies of Philo, Iosephus, Musaeus, and yet not onely of them but of others farre more auncient, to vvete: of both the surnamed Agathobulus, schoolemaisters vnto the famous Aristobulus, one of the seuentie that vvere sent to trāslate the sacred & holy scripture of the Hebrevves, vnto the gracious princes Ptolemaeus Philadelphus, & his father, vnto vvhome he dedicated his expositions vpon the lavv of Moses. All these in their resolutions vpon Exodus haue giuen vs to vnderstande that vve ought to celebrate the feast of the Paschall Lambe pro∣portionally* 3.113 after the aequinoctiall springe, the first moneth comming betvvene, and this to be found vvhen the sonne hath passed the first solare section, and as one of them hath termed it the signifer circle. Aristobulus hath added, that it is necessarie for the celebration of the feaste of* 3.114 Easter, that not onely the Sunne but the Moone also haue passed the aequinoctiall section. In so much there are tvvo aequinoctiall sections, the one in spring time, the other in Autumne, distant diameter wise one frō the other, & the daye of Easter allotted the fourtenth of the moneth after the tvvilight: vvithout al faile the moone shalbe diameter vvise opposite to the sonne as ye may easily perceaue in the full moones, so the sonne shalbe in the sectiō of the aequinoctial spring, & the moone necessarily in the aequinoctiall autumne. I remēber many other profes, partly proba∣ble, & partly layde dovvne vvith auncient assertions, vvherby they endeuour to persvvade that the feast of Easter & of svveete bread ought euer to be celebrated after the aequinoctiall space. I passe ouer sundry their proofes & arguments, vvherby they cōfirme the vayle of Moses lavv to be remoued & done avvay, & the face novv reuealed, Christ him selfe, the preaching & passions of Christ are to be behelde. Anatolius left behinde him vnto the posteritie, toutching, that the first moneth after the Hebrevves fell euer about the Aequinoctial space, sundry expositions & precepts of Enoch. Againe Arithmeticall introductions cōprised in tenne bokes, with diuers other monu∣mēts of his diligēce & deepe iudgemēt in holy scripture. Theotecnus bishop of Caesarea in Palaesti∣na was y^• first y^• created him bishop, & promised y^• he should succeede him, in y^• seae after his death,

〈2 pages missing〉〈2 pages missing〉 selues, and whilest they heaped these things, that is: contention, threatnings, mutuall hatred, and enmitie, and euery one proceeded in ambition much like tyranny it selfe, then, I say then the lord* 3.115 according to the sayinge of Ieremie: Made the daughter Sion obscure, and ouerthrewe from a∣boue the glorie of Israell, and remembred not his footestole in the daye of his vvrath. The Lorde hath drovvned all the bevvtie of Israell, and ouerthrovven all his stronge holdes. And according vnto the prophecies in the Psalmes: He hath ouerthrovven and broken the couenant* 3.116 of his seruant, and prophaned his sanctuarie casting it on the grounde by the ouerthrowe of his churches. he hath broken dovvne all his vvalls, he hath layde all his fortresses in ruyne. All they that passed by spoyled him, and therefore he is become a rebuke vnto his neyghbours, he lyfted vp the ryght hande of his enemyes, he turned the edge of his svvorde, and ayded him not in the tyme of battaile, he caused his dignitie to decaye, and cast his throne downe to the ground, the dayes of his youth he shortened and aboue all this he couered him with shame.

CAP. II.

Howe that the temples were destroyed, holy scripture burned, and the bishops ill entreated.

ALl these aforesayde were in vs fulfilled, when we sawe with our eyes the oratories ouer∣throwen* 3.117 downe to the ground, yea & the very fundations them selues digged vp, the holy & sacred scriptures burned to ashes, in the open market place, the pastors of the churches, wherof some shamefully hid them selues here and there, some other contumeliously taken & deri∣ded of the enemies, & according vnto an other prophecie: Shame is powred vpō the pates of their princes, he made them wander in the crooked and vnknowen way. Yet is it not our drift to de∣scribe the bitter calamities of these mē which at lēgth they suffred, neither is it our part to record their dissention & vnwonted guise, practised among them before the persecution: but only to write so much of them, wherby we may iustifie the deuine iudgement of God. neither haue we purposed to mention thē which were tēpted sore with persecution, or altogether suffred shipwrack of their saluation, and willingly were swallowed vp in the deepe goulfes of the seaes, but onely to graffe in our history such things as first of all may profitt our selues, next the posteritie in time to come. We will proceede then and paynt forth the happy combats of the blessed Martyrs.

CAP. III.

A recitall of certaine imperiall edicts against the Christians. the constancie of certaine faithfull persons. the beginnings of the butcherly slaughter.

IT was the nynteenth yeare of Diocletians raigne and the moneth Dystros, after the Romaines* 3.118 March, the feast of Easter then being at hande, when the Emperours proclamations were eue∣ry where published, in the which it was commaunded: that the churches shoulde be made euen with the grounde, the holy scriptures by burninge of them shoulde be abolished, such as were in honor and estimation should be contemned, and such as were of families if they retained the chri∣stian faith should be depriued of their freedome. and such were the contents of the firste edict. But in the proclamations which immediatly followed after, it was added: that y^• pastors throughout all parishes first should be imprisoned, next with all meanes possible constrained to sacrifice. then, I say, then, many of y^• chiefe gouerners of the churches endured & that cherefully most bitter tor∣ments, & gaue y^• aduenture of most valiant & noble enterprises: many others fainting for feare, at y^• first onset were quite discouraged: all y^• rest tryed the experience of sundry tormēts: one scorged from topp to toe: an other wrested & maimed with more intollerable payne: some fayled of y^• pur∣posed ende: some other were founde constant and perfect: one was drawen to the foule and filthie sacrifices, and dimissed as if he had done sacrifice, when as in very deede he had not: an other, when he had neyther approched neyther toutched ought of their detestable offringes, and such as were present affirmed that he had sacrificed, departed with silence, paciently suffring this thank∣lesse pickthanke: an other halfe deade was borne away beyng throwen of them for deade: againe there were some prostrat vpon the pauement trayled & lugged all a long by the feete, & recounted for sacrificers: one reclaymed & with a lowde voyce denyed y^• euer he sacrificed: an other lifted his voyce and confessed him selfe to be a Christian, and gloryed in the faith of that gladsome tytle:

an other againe protested that he had neyther sacrificed, neither euer woulde do sacrifice. These were beaten on the face and buffeted on the chekes, their mouthes were stopped by the souldiers handes, an whole bande was appointed for the purpose, whiche violently thrust them out at the dores. so the enemies of the trueth triumphed if at lest wise they might seeme to bring their pur∣pose to effect, but their purpose preuailed not against the blessed martyrs of God, whose conflicts no tongue can sufficiently declare.

CAP. IIII.* 3.119

Of the persecution first raysed by Ʋeturius the captaine against the Christian souldiers, at the beginning priuely, afterwards openly.

THere were many to be seene whiche bare singular good will and affection to the seruice of almightie God, not onely in the time of persecution, but long before whē peace preuailed. yet of late, I say of late at the first, the chiefe gouernour starting vp as it were out of soking drunkemesse leaueled at the churche priuely and obscurely (since the time which runne after the* 3.120 raigne of Decius & Valerianus) and waged battaile with vs not sodenly, but first assayed onely the christians which were in campe. By this meanes he thought he could eassly snare the rest, if that first he conquered these. and here might you see many of the souldiers desirous to leade a priuate & solitarie lyfe, fearinge they shoulde faynt in the seruice of almyghtie God. for when the captaine (who so euer he was) firste went about to persecute his hoast, and to trye and syfte as many as were brought vnto him throughout euery ward, and to giue them in choise either to obey & enioy their dignitie, or to resist and of the contrary to be depriued: many of the souldiers which were of the kingdome of Christ, without any delaye or doubt, preferred the faith of Christ before the fa∣uor and felicitie they seemed enioye. and nowe one or two of them very heauely not onely con∣temned their dignities, but also endured bytter death for their constancie in the seruice of God. because that the captaine as yet powred his malice by a little, & though he durst shede the blood of a fewe innocents, yet staggered he at the multitude of beleeuers, fearing as it is most like, so∣denly to giue bettell vnto all, and that vniuersally. * 3.121 but after that he tooke in hande more mani∣festly to persecute the church of God, it can not be tolde or expressed with tongue, how many, and what maner or sort of Martyrs were to be seene throughout cities and villages.

CAP. V.

A noble man of Nicomedia rent in peeces in the prefence of many, the wicked Edict of the Emperour published against the Christians.

ON of Nicomedia, no obscure person, but according vnto the accōpt of the world, of greate nobilitie, who as soone as the edict againste the churches of God was published in Nico∣media, being moued with zeale god wards and feruencie of faith, tooke into his hands and tare in peeces the prophane & most impious proclamation, pasted to an open & publicke post, in y^• presence of both the * 3.122 emperours, * 3.123 & of him which amonge the rest was most honorable, & of him also which was the fourth person in the empire. & he which first practised this noble acte, endured (as it is most like) the penaltie of so bolde an enterprise, retayning a valiant and inuincible minde vnto the last gaspe.

CAP. VI.

The Martyrdome of certaine courtiers in Nicomedia with others both there and in other places.

ALl the renowmed men that euer were either of the Grecians or Barbarians cōmended for noble prowesse and fortitude, are not to be compared to the deuine and famous martyrs of this our age, of thē I speake who (together with Dorotheus) being the emperours pages, in chiefest credit with their Lordes, and were no lesse vnto them then deare and naturall sonnes: yet counted they those comumelies, drudgeries, and new found torments for the trueth in Christ, greater ritches then the glory and pleasure of this present life. One of these for example sake, and the ende he made I wil declare, that the reader may coniecture by his happe, what besell vnto the rest. One of the aforesayd Noble men was brought forth at Nicomedia into the open assembly, & enioyned to do sacrifice, who stoutly refusing, by cōmandement is hoysed vp on high; & his naked

bodie all to be scourged, and the fleshe rent in peeces with the lashe of the whyppe, vntyll he were ouercome and yeelded to their sacrifice. When that he had endured these torments, and persisted constant, and the bones laye all bare, the fleshe banished awaye: they powre Vi∣neger myxt with salte, into the festred woundes, and brused partes of the bodie. When he had ouercome also these tormentes, and reioyced greatly thereat, a greediron with hotte bur∣ninge coales is prepared, and that which remayned of his bodie was layde thereon to be bruy∣led, a slowe fire beinge made vnder to consume it by little and a little, lest that death quickly de∣liuered him of his payne. So that they which had the charge of the fire woulde release him of no part of his payne, vnlesse he promised to yelde in the ende to the Emperours decree. But he hol∣ding fast his former opinion ouer came them, & yelded vp the ghost in the middest of his torments.* 3.124 So valiant as you heare was the martyrdome of one of the Emperours pages, correspondent vnto his name for he was called Peter. The thinges which happened to the rest were nothing in∣ferior to these, the which according vnto our former promise, we will leaue vntoutched. addinge onely this to that which went before, how that Dorotheus and Gorgonius with many others of the Emperours familie after sundry torments ended their lyues on the gallowes, and bare away the garlande of victorie. At this time also was Anthimus bishop of Nicomedia beheaded for the chri∣stian faith, and with him a great multitude of martyrs. For I wot not how in the emperours pa∣lace at Nicomedia some parte of the house was all a fire, and when the Christians were taken in suspicion to be the authors therof, by the emperours cōmaundement the whole troope generally of all the godly there at that time was executed, whereof some with sworde were beheaded, some other with fire burned, where also by the secret & deuine prouidence of God (as the report goeth) both men and women skipped and leaped into the flaminge fire. An other companie the sergiants sette in a boate and threwe into the deapth of the sea. The Emperours pages, after their death decently buried, and resting in their graues were digged vp, and by the commaundement of their lordes cast into the sea, lest any adored them in their sepulchers and tooke them for gods as they dreamed of vs. and such were the practises in the beginning of the persecution at Nicomedia. but in a while after when that some in the region called Melitis, and againe some other in Syria were found ready to rebell, the Emperour commaunded all the pastors throughout euery church to be imprisoned and kept in holde. The spectacle of the practises was so cruell to behold that it excee∣ded all that therof may be spoken. Infinite multitudes were euery where inclosed and the prisons* 3.125 of old appointed & ordained for murtherers, diggers vp of sepulchers, and riflers of graues were then replenished with bishops, ministers, deacons, readers, and exorcists, so that there was no rowme in the prison for such as were condemned for hainous offences. Agayne when the former edicts had taken place, there followed others, by vertue of the which: such as sacrificed were set at libertie, and such as resisted were commanded to be tormented with a thousand kind of torments. Who is able heere to number the multitude of all the Martyrs throughout all the worlde? speci∣ally in that they suffred martyrdome throughout Aphrick and amonge the Moores, throughout Thebais and Aegypt, throughout other cities and prouinces.

CAP. VII.

The constancie of certaine Martyrs, deuoured of wyld beasts in Palaestina and Phaenicia.

WE haue knowen diuers of these to haue florished in Palaestina, agayne others in Tyrus of Phaenicia, whose infinite stripes, and in their stripes a maruelous constancie, and after their stripes their sodaine bickeringe with rauening beastes, in their bickering their valiant courage in withstanding the force of fierce Libards, the rage of roaring Beares, the tuskes of wylde Boares, the woodnes of Bulls burned with fire and seared with hotte glowinge yron, who wyll not be amazed to beholde? at the doinge of all which we were present our selues and sawe with our eyes the deuine power of our sauiour Iesus Christ (for whose sake they* 3.126 suffred these thinges) present and manifestly aydinge these Martyrs, neyther durst these raue∣ning beastes of a longe time drawe nygh and approche vnto the bodies of the blessed saincts, but raunged about and deuoured such as sette them on without the ringe, toutchinge by no meanes among all the rest the blessed champions, though their bodies were bare, though they prouoked them with the streatchinge forth of their handes, as they were commaunded. And if some tyme

violently they fell vpon them, backe agayne they recoyled, as if they had bene repelled by diuine power from aboue, which continewing a long time brought great admiration vnto the behoulders. When the first beast raunged aboue to no purpose, the seconde and thirde were let loose at the one, and the same martyr. the sufferance of those Sainctes was to be wondred at, & their constancy firme* 3.127 and immoueable in their freshe and greene bodyes. Then might a man haue seene a yong stripling vnder twenty yeares of age, standing still without any holding, stretching forth his handes in for∣me of a crosse, making earnest supplication vnto God, with a setled and immoueable minde, not wagging him selfe at all, or poynting any whither from his standing place, yea thought the beares and Libards, breathed out present death, and now as it were teared his fleshe in peeces with their teethe. yet I wott not howe as if their iawes had bene glued together, they recoyled back agayne.* 3.128 Besides this yong man, ye might haue seene others in number fiue, throwen at the feete of a fierce bull, which tossed into the ayre and tore in peeces with his hornes such as stoode without the ryng. and left them as good as deade: onely the holy Sainctes he had no power to hurte, with his furi∣ous and cruell threats, thoughe he scattered the earth with his feete, and fanned the ayre with his hornes, though he were prouoked to fiercenesse with searing yron, and fomed out present death, yet by the diuine prouidence of God he was pushed backe. When that this beast could nothing preuaile agaynst the holy Martyrs, others were let loose, at length after sundry bitter torments and violence of wilde beastes, all were beheaded, and in steade of still earth and quiet sepulchre, they swamme in the surging waues of the seas.

CAP. VIII.

Of the martyrs in Aegypt.

THe like bickering had they of Tyrus in Aegypt, the which they suffred for the seruice of God.* 3.129 then wouldest thou haue marueled at their martyrdomes, suffred vpon their owne natiue soile where infinite both of men and women and children for the saluation procured by our Saui∣our Iesus Christ, contemning this transitory life, haue endured sundry kindes of torments. wherof some after mayming and racking, and scurging, & thousands other vexations (horrible to be hearde of) were burned to ashes, others drowned in the seas, others manfully layd their neckes to y^e blocke, others hanged on y^e gallowes, some as hainous offenders, some other farre worse, tyed to y^e tree with their heads downeward, and so long besett with a watch till famyne had bereued them of their liues.

CAP. IX.

The constancye of the Martyrs throughout Thebais.

OUr penne can not sufficiently paynt forth y^e punishments, and torments, endured of the mar∣tyrs* 3.130 throughout Thebais, there bodies in steade of iagged hoofes vsed heretofore, had the skinne rased all of, with rugged shells of sea fishe, the women tyed by the one legge were li∣fted into the ayre, and their heads downewards with a certayne engine of woode, and there hanged all bare and vncouered, yelding vnto the behoulders, a foule, a filthye, a cruell and vnnaturall spec∣tacle. agayne others ended their lyues vpon boughes and branches of trees. They linked together with certayne instruments, the topps of the boysterous & mightier boughes, and tyed them vnto ei∣ther of the Martyrs thighes, afterwards loosing the boughes to speart & spring into their growing place, sodainly rent asunder the mēbers of their bodyes, for which purpose they inuented this paine. all these mischieues continewed not a fewe dayes, or for a short space, but the terme of many yeares. some time more then tenne, some other time more then twenty were executed, one whyle not vnder* 3.131 thirtye, an other whyle welnighe threescore. agayne at an other tyme an hundreth in one daye of men, women, and very yonge children, after the bitter taste of sundry kindes of tormentes were put to deathe. We sawe our selues with our eyes, being then present at the execution, a greate multitude, whereof some were burned, others beheaded, vntill the sworde became blunt, and the tor∣mentor wearyed, so that others came in place and executed by turnes. where we behelde also the noble cheere and countenance, the diuine power and valiantnesse of mynde, in such as buylded their fayth on Iesus Christ our Sauiour. as soone as the sentence was pronounced and iudgement geuen vpon the former, there stepped forth others and stoode at the barre, protesting their fayth and publishing them selues to be Christians, not fearing at all the bitternes of manifold and sundry

torments but with inuincible mindes, laying their whole trust and confidence vpon God, ioy∣fully, meryly, and chearefully tooke the last sentence of condemnation, singing Psalmes and hymnes and thankesgeuing vnto God, euen to the last gaspe. These were truely to be wondred at, but especially such as were renowmed for ritches, nobilitie, honor, eloquence, and Philoso∣phy: yet preferred they before all these the pietie and fayth in our Lorde & Sauiour Iesus Christ.* 3.132 such a one was Philoromus gouernour of Alexandria of no small accōpt, put in trust with weigh∣ty matters of the empire, being garded after the Romayne dignity and honor, with a troope of souldiers to his trayne, was dayly sifted and examined. such a one also was Phileas Bishop of the people Thmuitae, a famous man for the politike gouernment of his contrey, for the o∣uersight of the publicke lyturgies and study of Philosophy▪ these men though they were entrea∣ted of many their kinsfolkes and otherwise their familiar friendas, of many the chiefe rulers and last of all of the iudge him selfe, that they woulde tender their owne case, that they woulde con∣sider of their calling, that they woulde pitye their wiues and children: yet could not they for all the perswasion of such great personages be brought by preferring this present life, to contemne the fayth of Christ, to renounce his lawes, but with constant and Philosophicall myndes, yea rather diuine, enduring all the threats and contumelies of the iudge, ended their liues with the loosing of their heades.

CAP. X.

The testimony of Phileas toutching the constancie of the Martyrs of Alexandria and the crueltie of the enemies.

IN so much that we haue reported Phileas to be famous for his skill in prophane literature, he shall wittnesse both of him selfe and of the Martyrdomes of his tyme at Alexandria, decla∣ring farre more diligently then we vse to doe, writing vnto the Thmuitans in these wordes: for as much as all these things are published in holy Scripture for paterns, exāples & monumēts* 3.133 for our learning: the blessed Martyrs vvhich liued among vs, lifting vp the eye of the minde, and behoulding with cleare sight the vniuersall God, settled their mindes to endure any kinde of death for the seruice and religion due vnto God, and held fast their vocation, knowing that the Lorde Iesus for our sake tooke the nature of man vpon him, to the ende he might cutt of wholy all sinne, and ayde vs to enter into euerlasting life. for he thought no robbery to be equall with* 3.134 God, but made him selfe of no reputation, taking on him the forme of a seruaunt, and vvas founde in his shape as man. he humbled him selfe and became obedient vnto the death, euen the death of the crosse. VVherefore the blessed Martyrs of God, reposed Christ in their breast, being desirous of more excellent giftes, endured not once but some of them twise all payne & punishments that could be inuented, and all the threats of souldiers, practised agaynst them ei∣ther by word or by deede, with an inuincible courage, excluding feare by reason of the fulnes of* 3.135 loue. whose manhoode and valiantnesse in all their torments what man is able with mouth to expresse? and because it was permitted & laweful for euery man to torment them as him plea∣sed best: some smite them with clubbes and cudgells, some with sharpe twigges, some with whippes, some with lethern thonges, some other with whipcorde. the spectacle was pitiful both for the varietie of torment, the and superfluity of malice. some with their handes tyed behind them were stretched a long & racked in euery ioynt throughout the body, & as they hong and laye in the racke, the tormentors were commaunded to torment all their bodies ouer, neyther plaguing them as theeues are commonly handled with the onely renting of their sides, but they had the skinnes of their bellies, and of their shinnes, and of their eye lidds rased all of, with rug∣ged hoofes, with the talents and clawes of wilde beastes. some were seene to hange by the one hande at an hollow vaute, and to endure that way farre more bitter racking of the ioyntes and members of the bodie. some were tyed to pyllers and their faces wrested quite kame for to be∣holde them selues, their feete standing them in no steede, but they violently wagging by the weyght and payse of their bodies were thus greeuously tormented by reason of their stretching and squysing in bondes. this they suffered not onely while they were examined and whilest the President dealt vvith them, but throughout the vvhole day▪ and vvhen that he passed from the former vnto the latter, he gaue his ministers charge to ouersee them behinde, if that perad∣uenture any of them, being ouercome vvith the greeuous torments did yeald. He commaunded also that if any vvere in daunger of death by reason of colde, that their fetters & bondes shoulde

speedely be released, and they to be layd on the grounde, to be lugged and trayled all a long to g••••t them heat▪ they had not one sparcle of compassion on vs, but thought of duety they should thus be affected & furiously rage agaynst vs, as though vve had bene no liuing creatures. vvher∣fore our aduersaries inuented this seconde payne and added it to the former punishments. after stripes they vvere layd in the stockes, and their feete streched foure spaces or holes asunder, so that of necessitye they must lye on their backes hauing no feeling of their bodies by reason of the vvoundes vvhich the stripes printed in their members. others being throvvne a long vpon the pauement, lay poudred in the dust, in extreame payne, a more piteous and lamentable spe∣ctacle vnto the behoulders then the torment it self, bearing in their bodies diuers vvoundes di∣uersly inuented. The case lying thus: some died in torment & confounded the aduersaries vvith their pacience. some halfe deade and shutt in pryson, after a fevve dayes died of their payne. the rest by carefull prouision vvere comforted, and after certayne continevvance of imprisonment became more constant. vvhen they had geuen them in choise, either to toutch the detestable sa∣crifices, and so be at ease & enioy among them their cursed libertie, or not to sacrifice & chaung life for death: vvith all speede voluntarily they embraced death▪ for they vvere skilfull in those things vvhich concerned them in holy Scripture. he that sacrificeth to straunge God•• (sayth he)* 3.136 shalbe rooted out from among the people: and thou shalt haue no other Gods but me. such are the words of a true Philosopher and godly Martyr, which he wrote from prison to his parishio∣ners afore the iudge pronounced the sentence of condemnation vpon him, rehearsing vnto them y^t state he stoode in, prouoking them to march forwards, and to holde fast the profession of fayth in Christ after his death which then was at hande. but to what ende doe I vse many wordes, and al∣leadge the conflictes of the blessed Martyrs throughout the worlde, inuented one after an other specially of them which were pursued to death, not after the publique lawes, but with deadly hatred.

CAP. XI.

How a whole citie in Phrygia with the inhabitants thereof was burnt to ashes and of Audactus the Martyr.

WHen the souldiers had besieged a whole citye in Phrygia, inhabited of Christians, and compassed in, both men women and children, which called vpon the name of the Lord,* 3.137 they sett all a fire and burned them to ashes. For with one consent all the inhabitants thereof, the Lieuetenant, the captayne, the whole Senate, & the people euery one protested them selues to be Christians, and coulde by no edicts be brought to adore Idols or carued images. And an other also there was, renowmed for Romayne dignitie whose name was Audactus, by linage* 3.138 comming of a noble house in Italie, and for all his vertues in great creditt with the Emperours, so that he gouerned with great wisedome & vprightnes the common wealth and weyghtiest mat∣ters of the empire: but aboue all he was famous for religion and sayth in Christ, so that in the ad∣ministration and gouerning of the common wealth he endured torment and was crowned with martyrdome.

CAP. XII.

Of the regions and contreys where the Christians were martyred, and the sanadgnesse of tyrannic all he at hen towards the faythfull.

TO what ende shall I by name recite the rest, or rehearse the maltitude of men, or describe the sundry torments of famous Martyrs? whereof some were beheaded, as it happened in* 3.139 Arabia: some tormented with the breaking and bruysing of their legges, as it happened in Cappadocia, some hanged by the feete and their heades downe warde, with slowe fire sett vnder & smothered to death with choking smoke, as it happened vnto the brethren in Mesopotamia: some* 3.140 others had their nostrells slitt, their eares bored, their handes maymed, their members and parts of their bodies drawne asunder and vnioynted, as it happened at Alexandria. to what ende shall I furbushe the memory of them which were burned at Antioche, hott burning coales layde vnder, not quickely to dispatch them, but with lingering payne to torment them. & of others which chose rather to burne their handes then they woulde toutch their abominable sacrifices, the experience* 3.141 whereof some going about to auoyde, before they were apprehended and fallen into the handes of their aduersaries, threw them selues downe headlong from the toppe of houses, & thought better

so to preuent death then to sustayne the torments of their malicious enemies. A certayne matron al∣so, renowmed for her vertue and integricie of life, among all them of Antioch, famous for her wealth and substance, her noble lynage, and estimation▪ had brought vp two doughters, that were virgins in the feare of God, which passed all other in brightnesse of bewtye and youthly comlines. These, be∣cause they were greatly spited and enuied, for all that they hidd them selues they were founde out, and when that at length with much adoe they vnderstood of their being among forrayners, they cy∣ted them to appeare with speede at Antioch in their proper persons, and besett the place of their a∣bode with a bande of souldiers compassing them as it were with a nett. This matron seeing her self and her doughters plunged in great peri••••, by no meanes possibly to be auoyded, pondered with her selfe the punishments ensuing, and that which was most greeuous of all, the abusing of their bo∣dies: she admonished in no wise to be suffred, no, not once to sincke into their eares, and sayd further: that if they committed their soules as bondslaues vnto Satan, it were a thinge more intollerable then any death or destruction, yet there remayned one remedie for all, and that sayd she was to flye vnto the Lorde for refuge. After deliberation, with vniforme consent they layde downe what was to be done, they apparelled them selues gorgeously and tooke their iourney towards Antioch. In the middest of the way, when their gard seuered them selues, as about to serue nature, they cast them sel∣ues vnto the floode that slyded thereby and drowned them selues. These heathen Idolaters threwe* 3.142 into the sea•• an other coople of Antiochian virgines, renowmed for all vertues, true sisters, of noble linage, of good life, of tender yeares, of goodly bewtie, of honest mindes, of godly conuersation, of wonderfull disposition, as though the earth could no longer beare them. such were the tragedies at Antioch. In Pontus they suffred horrible punishments to be heard of, whose fingers of both hands were pricked vnder the tender nayles, with sharpe quills: others had hott buyling leade poured on their backes, the most necessary members of their bodyes maymed: others endured shamefull, in∣tollerable, and such torments as may not be tould, in their priuy members, and in the secret bowels of their bodyes, such as these noble and counted lawfull iudges excogitated, for tokens of their sharp witt, and deepe wisedome. Dayly also they founde out newe torments, contending one with an other who could excell in spitefull inuentions and addition•• of torment. this calamitie was extreame and out of measure cruel. And when as thenceforth they dispayred of increasing their mischiefe, and now were wearied with slaughter & gotten their fill of bloodshed, voluntarily they mittigate their rage they practise curtesy, their pleasure (for sooth) is henceforth to punish with death no longer. It is not* 3.143 requisite (say they) that the cities shoulde be stayned with blood, ishuyng out of our owne bowells, that the most noble empire of the Caesars should be blemished & defamed with the title of crueltie, y^• emperour him self being wel knowne for clemencie & benignitie, yea rather the gracious goodnes & clemencie of the Emperours highnes is to be stretched forth and enlarged towards all men, that they be no more punished with death. They deemed their crueltie asswaged and the Emperours clemencie to shine in that they commaunded our eyes to be plucked out, and the left legge to be vn∣ioynted▪ such was their clemencie and mitigated crueltie towards vs. Wherefore by reason of this cruell curteste it may not be told what number & infinite multitude of men hauing their right eyes pulled out, and the empty places seared with hott burning yrons, their left legges sawed asunder in the hammes and seared likewise: were condemned to the quarryes and mynes throughout the pro∣uinces, to the digging of mettalls, not for commoditie and profits sake, but for affliction and misery. And besides all this they were ledd forth to sundry kindes of torments which may not be rehearsed, whose valiant actes also can not be described. when the holye Martyrs shined thus throughout the worlde in these their afflictions the beholders wronded at their pacience and noble courage, neyther without cause, for they expressed and shewed forth vnto the worlde speciall and manifest signes of the diuine and vnspeakeable power of our Sauiour, working by them. it were to long yea vnpossible to number them all by their names.

CAP. XIII.

Of the famous Bispops and ministers that were martyred.

TOutching the chiefe rulers of the Churches, and them which were crowned Martyrs in the most famous cities: Anthymus bishop of Nicomedia, was beheaded & crowned the first mar∣tyr* 3.144 registred in the catalogue of the Saynctes in the kingdome of Christ. Of them whiche

suffred at Antioch Lucianus minister of that congregation, leading a vertous life, preached at Ni∣comedia* 3.145 in presence of the emperour the celestiall kingdome of Christ, first vnto vs in exhortatiō by way of Apology, afterwards in wryting vnto the posteritie. the most famous martyrs of Phae∣nicia were the godly pastors of the resonable flocke of Christ: Tyran••••••n byshop of Tytus, Zeno∣bius minister of Sidon, and Siluanus byshop of Emisa, who together with others in Emisa was throwen to feede wild beasts, and is receaued vnto the company of martyrs. The other two, both at Antioch glorified God by theyr pacient deathes: Tyrannion buried in the bottome of the seae, and Zenobius an excellent phisician, after scurginge & bitter torment died most constantly. Among the martyrs in Palaestina Siluanus by shop of the Churches of Gaza was beheaded together with nyne and thirty others which were committed to the myne pitts in Phaenos. In Aegypt Peleus and Nilus Aegyptian byshops were burned to ashes. And here let vs remember the renowmed piller of the parishe of Caesarea, Pamphilus the elder, & the most famous martyr of our time. Whose life and noble acts we will at time conueniēt declare. of them which at Alexandria throughout Aegypt & The bais suffred martyrdome, y^• most famous was Peter byshop of Alexandria a paterne of piety in Christ vnto the godly pastors, and together with him Faustus, Didius and Ammonius, ministers and perfect martyrs of Christ. Also Phileas, Hesychius, Pachym••us and Theodorus byshops of the churches in Aegypt: and besids these infinite other famous men, whose names are well knowen in the cōgregations through out the region. It is not our drift to describe y^• conflicts of such as stri∣ued throughout the world (we leaue that for others) neither exactly to paint forth vnto y^• posteri∣ty all that happened: but only the things we sawe with our eyes and were done in our presence.

CAP. XIIII.

The state of the Romayne empyre before and after the persecution. and of the raygne of Constantine.

VNto that which went before I will annexe the recantation or dissanullinge of the thinges practised against vs yea from y^• beginning of the persecution, which I suppose very pro∣fitable for the reader. before y^• the Romaine empire waged battell against vs, in the space* 3.146 the emperours fauored vs & maintained peace, it may not sufficiētly be declared, how prosperous∣ly the common wealth florished & abounded with all goodnes, when as the chief magistrats of the publicke weale passed the tenth & the twentieth yeare in solemne feasts & celebrated gratulatiōs in times of most gorgeous & glorious renowne, with constant & in••noueable peace▪ whē as there empire after this sorte encreased without offence, & daily was enlarged, they had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sooner remo¦ued peace from amōg vs, but they sturred vp such battels as cold not be reconciled▪ not fully two yeares after this whurlyburly, there was such a chaunge happened vnto the whole empire which turned all vpsid downe. * 3.147 for no smale disease ouertooke the chief of y^• foresayd emperours & bereued him of his witts, wherefore together with him which was second per••on in honor he em∣braced the popular & priuate life. these things then being not fully ended the empire was with all deuided into two parts, the which was neuer remembred to haue come to passe before that time. not long after Cōstantius the emperour, passing all other throughout his life time, in clemency & goodnes towards his subiects, singularly affected towards Gods word, ended according vnto the lawe of nature, the common ra••e of his mortall life, leauinge behind him his naturall sonne Con¦stātinus, emperour & Caesar to supply his rowme, & was first referred of them into y^• number of the Gods, enioying after his death all imperiall honor & dignitie due to his person. In his life he was the most benigne and of most bountifull suffrayghtie among all the emperours. who alone of all the emperours in our time gouerned most graciously & honorably during the whole terme of his raygne, shewing humanity and bountifullness vnto all men, no partaker by any meanes, with any presumpteous sedition ••ayled against vs, he garded the godly about him in security without sen∣tence of gylt, & without all contumely, he destroyed no churches, he practised no impiety y^• might be preiudiciall vnto our religion, he obtayned a blessed life and an ••nde thrise happy, he beinge emperour alone ended this life both gloriously & peaceably, in prese•••••• of his naturall some and successor, who also was most prudent and religious. His sonne Constā••••••••••, beinge proclaymed full emperour and Caesar by the army, and longe before by God himselfe the vniuersall kinge, he came a folower of his fathers pietie in Christian religion. And such a one was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ••ut Liconius while these thinges were a doynge, by common consente of the potentates was also created em∣perour and Augustus. Whiche▪ thinge greened Maximinus very sore, who vnto that tyme

was alone called Caesar of all mē, who also being tyrannically disposed, violētly of his owne mind inuaded the empire and intitled him selfe Augustus. And being attainted of treason, and founde to haue conspired the death of Constantinus, and after deposition to haue aspired againe vnto the imperiall scepter: dyed a moste shamefull death. He was the firste whose titles, pictures with∣all that seemed to shewe forth his honor were ouerthrowen for no other then the armes of an em∣perour that was moste prophane and impious.

CAP. XV.

The dissimuled loue of Maxentius towardes the Christians, his horrible* 3.148 offences and crueltie

HIs sonne Maxentius which exercised tyranny at Rome, in the beginninge of his raygne* 3.149 dissembled our fayth egregiously, creepinge into creditt by flatteringe of the people of Rome, and therefore he commaunded his communalty to cease from persecutinge of the Christians, whereby he might pretende a shewe of pietie and seeme tractable & more benigne thē his auncestres were before him. but in processe of time he was not in dede founde the same which men tooke him for and hoped he woulde be, for he fell into all kinde of enormyties, omittinge no haynous offence, bowe detestable and laciuious soeuer it were, vnassayed. committing adultery & all kinde of lewde wantonnesse, sendinge home againe vnto their husbandes the louinge spouses and lawefull wiues, taken from them by force, when he had ignominiously abused them. and these presumpteous practises he exercised not onely vpon the obscurer sort, but dealt this opprobrious∣ly with the most renowmed of the Romaine senators. Wherefore all both high primats and infe∣rior people, trembling for feare of him, were oppressed with his intollerable tyranny, yet nether* 3.150 by silence neither by suffring this greuous setuitude, cold they be free, from the bloody slaughter and embrued murther of this tyrante. vpon light occasions sundry times deliuered he the people vnto the soldiers, which were in compasse to be slayne, and an innumerable multitude of the Ro∣mayne people in the middes of the citie he offred to the sworde and spears, not of Barbarians and Scythians, but of his owne proper soldiers. It may not be recited what slaughter of senators he* 3.151 procured, craftely seeking after their substance, of whome an infinite number he executed for sun∣dry causes and fayned crimes. this was the drift and marke this mischiefous tyrant shotte at. he* 3.152 applied himselfe vnto the studie of Magicall artes. for inchauntement he opened and ript the bo∣wells of burthened women great with childe, he searched the entrailes of newe borne babes, he slewe lyons, and after a secrett maner coniured deuells and endeuored to withstande the warres then approchinge. for he fully determined with himselfe to be crowned conquerour by meanes of these artes. This Maxentius therefore practisinge tyrranny at Rome oppressed the commonalty* 3.153 with such haynous offences as may not be tolde, so that they were pinched with so great penurie of necessary victaile, as the like can not be remembred in this our age to haue happened at Rome

CAP. XVI.

The cruell behauiours of Maximinus in the East and of Maxentius at* 3.154 Rome and other where in the west▪

MAximinus the Casterne tyrant of a long tyme behaued himselfe to the ende he might con∣ceale* 3.155 his malice against his brother and his hid friendship towards the Romaine tirant, but in the ende he was espied and suffred punishmente due to his desert. It was won∣derfull to see howe that he committed things a like and correspondēt vnto the practises of the Ro¦mayne* 3.156 tyrant, nay he farre passed him in malice and mischiefe. The chiefest inchaunters & magi∣cians were in greatest creditte with him, and because he was a man very timorous & wonderfully rooted in superstition, he highly esteemed of the erroneous worship of Idols and deuels. without southsaing•• & answers of Oracles he durst not mone, no, as it is commonly sayd, not the breadth* 3.157 of a nayle, for which cause he persecuted vs without intermission and more vehemently then his auncesters before him. he erected temples throughout euery citie, the Idolatricall worship of* 3.158 longe time defaced and ouerthrowen he carefully restored agayne, and published by edict that I∣dole priestes shoulde be ordained, throughout all countreys and cities. besides this he appointed* 3.159 in euery prouince one for high priest of such as were counted famous for politicke affaires being

also able with decency to execute that function, whome he furnished with a great trayne and gard of soldiers. To be short he priuiledged all inchaunters, recounted godly and takē for Gods them selues, with primacy, dignities, and chiefest prerogatiues. He went on still and oppressed, not on* 3.160 Citye or region onely, but whole prouinces vnder his dominion, exactinge golde and siluer and summes of money, and vexed them with greuous proclamations, on penaltie ensuinge after ano∣ther. The wealth and substance which his progenitors had gathered before he tooke in greate* 3.161 heapes of treasure and greate summes of money and bestowed it vpon his flatteringe parasites. He was so drowned with ouer muche wine and drunkenesse that amonge his cuppes he woulde* 3.162 be starke madd and besides him selfe, and often times beinge typsie commaunded such thinges, whereof afterwards being restored to his former sobriety it repented him. He gaue place to no man for surfeting and superfluitie, but made him selfe ringe leader of that vice, vnto all that were* 3.163 about him bothe Prince and people. He effeminated his soldiers with all kinde of delicacy and lasciuiousnes. He permitted his presidentes and captaynes to practise rauenous extorcion, and poulinge of his subiectes, whome he entertayned as fitte companions of his foule and shame∣full tyranny. To what ende shall I rehearse his vnchaste life? Or recite the adulteryes he com∣mitted? He colde passe no Citie where he rauished not wiues, and deflowred not virgins. And in* 3.164 these thinges he preuayled agaynst all sortes of people the Christians only excepted which con∣temned death and despised his tyranny. The men endured burninge, beheading, crucifyinge, ra∣uenous deuouring of beastes, drowninge in the seae, mayming and broyling of the members, go∣ringe and digginge out of the eyes, manglinge of the whole body, moreouer famyne and impry∣sonment, to be short they suffred euery kinde of torment for the seruice of God, rather then they woulde leaue the worship of God, and embrace the adoration of Idols▪ women also not inferior to men through the power of the worde of God, putt on manly courage, whereof some suffred the same tormentes with men, some attayned vnto the like maysteries of vertue, other some dra∣wen to be abused, yelded sooner theyre life vnto the death then theyr bodyes to be defiled. For when as others by reason of the tyrants adultery were polluted a Christian matron of Alexan∣dria,* 3.165 both noble and renowmed alone ouer came the lecherous and lasciuious mynde of Maxi∣minus with the presence of her manly courage. This woman for many▪ thinges was highly estee∣med, for ritches, for kindred, for learninge, yet preferred she chastitie before all. Whome when he had earnestly entreated, yet coulde not finde in his harte to putt her to death which otherwise was already prepared to dye, being moued more with lust then with anger, exiled and depriued her also of all her substance. And infinitie other matrons not abydinge, no not the hearinge of the threats of abusinge theyr bodies, done by the presidents of euery particular nation, endured all kinde of punishments, torments and deadly paynes. These are in deede to be wondred at, but in greater admiratiō, is that most noble & most chast matron of Rome to be had in respect of all the rest, agaynst whome the Romayne tyrant Maxentius, (liuely resemblinge Maximinus) went* 3.166 about to rage. When that she vnderstoode the ministers of tyrannicall lust to be at hand, and her husbande (she beinge a Christian) though he were a Romayne magistrate, to be in holde a∣monge them, and for feare of execution to haue consented therevnto she craued a little leasure, as if she went to trime her selfe, and entting into her chamber and there beinge alone she runne vpon a naked sworde and dispatched her selfe, so imediatly by her death she bequeathed her carkasse vn to the tyrantes baudes, and by this acte of hers, soundinge and pearcinge more then any shrill voyce, shee pronounced and printed in the mindes of all mortall men both presente and to come: that amonge the Christians alone vertue can with no money be ouercome, neither be destroyed with any kinde of death. This so great a burthen of impietie was brought into the worlde at one, and the same time by two tyrants which helde East and west. If any seeke out the cause of these so* 3.167 great mischieues, who will doubt to assigne the persecution raysed agaynst vs for cause thereof, specially in as much as this confusion finished not before the Christian liberty was first restored. for during the tearme of these tenne yeares persecutiō, there wanted them nothing, which might tende to mutuall hatred, or ciuill dissention. The sea was besett with shippes, and therefore in∣nauigable, neyther was it possible from any place, for any man to arriue and take lande, but he shoulde he sifted with all kinde of punishments, his sides scourged, and himselfe tried with sundry torments, whether he were not sent from the enemy as a spie, & in the end he was either hanged or burned. morouer there were prepared for the purpose, targets, brest plats, dartes, spears, with other warlicke armour, galeyes also and other ordinance for shipps, were heaped in euery place,

neyther wayted any man for any other then dayly inuasion by the enemy. after these thinges en∣sued famine & pestilence, of the which we will entreat hereafter when fit oportunity is ministred.

CAP. XVII.

The ende of the persecution and the finall confusion of the tyrant.* 3.168

SUch things had they prepared during y^• whole time of persecution, which in the * 3.169 tenth yeare by the goodnes of God wholy ceased, yet after the eight yeare it begāne somwhat to slacke & relent. for after that the deuine and celestiall grace of God behelde vs with a placable and mercifull countenance, then our princes, euen they which heretofore warred against vs, after a wonderfull manner chaunged their opinion, song a recantation, and quenched that great heate of persecution, with most benigne and milde edicts and constitutions published euery where in our behalfe. The cause of this was not the humanity or compassion (as I may ••o terme it) or benigni∣ty of the princes, being farre otherwise disposed (for they inuented dayly more and more, greuous thinges against vs, successiuely vnto that time, they founde out sundry sleyghtes and newe puni∣ments one after an other) but the apparent countenance of the deuine prouidence reconciled vn∣to his people, withstood the power of mischiefe and quelled the author of impietie, and the wor∣ker of the whole persecution. And yet according vnto the iudgment of God it was behoueable that these things should come to passe, yet vvoe vnto them (sayth the Lorde) by vvhome offence doth* 3.170 rise. Wherefore a plague from aboue lighted on him, firste takinge roote in his fleshe, and after∣wards proceeding euen vnto his soule. there rose vpon a sodayne in the secret partes of his body an impostume or running sore, afterwards in the lower parts of his priueyties a botchye corrupt byle, with a fistula, whence ishued out corrupt matter, eatinge vp the inward bowels, and an vn∣speakeable multitude of lice, swarming out & breathinge a deadly stinche, when as the corpulen∣cy of the whole body through aboundance of meat, before the disease came, was turned into super fluous grossenes, and then beinge growen to matter, yelded an intollerable and horrible spectacle to the beholders. Wherefore of the phisicians, some not able to digest that wonderfull noysome stinche were slayne: some other (by reason of the swellinge throughout the body, there remayned no hope of recouery) beyng not able to helpe at all with theyr phisicke, were cruelly executed thē selues.

CAP. XVIII.

An Edict in the behalfe of the Christians the which aduersitie wrested* 3.171 from Maximinus.

AT length being thus tormented and lying in this miserable plight, he beganne to ponder with himselfe the rashe enterprises he had practised against the holy worshipers of God. Wherefore returning vnto himselfe, first he confesseth his sinnes vnto God, whose power reacheth ouer all. next calling vnto him such as then were in compasse, he gaue commaundement that with al speede they should relent and cease from persecuting of the Christians: that by the de∣cree and commaundement of the emperour they should buyld againe theyr churches: they should frequent theyr often conuenticles: they shoulde celebrate theyr wonted ceremonies and pray for the life of the emperour. and immediatly that which by word he cōmaunded was in dede brought to passe. The proclamations of the Emperour were published throughout the cities, and* 3.172 a recantation of the practises preiudiciall vnto vs contayned in this forme: The Emperoure Caesar, Galerius, Maximinus, puysant, magnificent, chiefe Lord, Lord of Thebais, Lord of Sar∣matia, fiue times conquerour of Persia, Lord of Germanie, Lord of Aegypt, tvvise conquerour of the Carpians, six times conquerour of the Armenians, Lorde of the Medes, Lord of the Adia∣beni. tvventy times tribune, nineteene times generall captaine, eight times Consul, father of the countrey, proconsul. And the emperour Caesar, Flauius, Ʋalerius, Constantinus, vertuous, fortu∣nate, puysant, noble, chiefe Lord▪ generall captaine and tribune fiuetimes, Consull▪ father of the countrey, proconsull. Amonge other thinges vvhich vve haue decreed for the commoditie and profitte of the common vvealth, our pleasure is first of all to order and redresse all thinges ac∣cordinge vnto the aunciente lavves and publicke discipline of the Romaynes▪ & vvithall to vse this prouiso that the Christians vvhich haue forsaken the relligion of their auncesters shoulde be brought againe to the right vvay▪ for after a certaine humor of singularitie such an opinion

of excellency puffed them vp▪ that those thinges which their elders had receaued and allowed they reiected and dissalowed, deuising euery man suchlavves as they thought good, and obser∣ued the same, assembling in diuerse places great multitudes of people▪ wherefore when as our Edict was proclaymed, that they shoulde returne ••n•••• the ordinaunces of their elders, diuerse standing in greate daūger felt the penalty thereof, and many beinge troubled therefore, endu∣red all kinds of death▪ and because we perceaue 〈…〉〈…〉 yet to persist in the same madnes, ney∣ther yelding due wor••hip vnto the celestiall Gods, neither regarding the God of the christians, hauing respect vnto our benignity and godly custome, pardonning•• ••l•••• ••n af•••••• our wonted guyse, yea we thought good in this case to extend our gracious 〈◊〉〈◊〉 f•••••••• able clemency, that the christiane may be tollerated againe, and that they repayre againe the places where they maye me••ro together. So that they doe nothinge preiudiciall to publicke order & discipline. VVe•• meane to prescribe vnto the iudges by an other epistle what they shall obserue. VVherefore as this our gracious pardon deserueth, let them make intercession vnto their God, for our health, for the common vveale, and for themselues, that in all places the affayres of the publicke weale may be safely preserued, & that they themselues may liue securely in their proper houses. These thinges after our hability we haue translated in this sorce out of the Romaine language into the greeke tongue. Nowe haue we duely to consider of those things which ensued and folowed after.

The censure of the Traslator toutching the chapiters which followe vntill the ende of this. 8. booke. Being found in the greeke coppy as a fragmente whose author was vnkowen.

ALl that which followeth vntill the ende of this eight booke▪ I haue found in the greeke coppy, distinguished frō the 18. chapiters, which went before: Not deuided into chapiters, as the rest was, but lying confusely for a suspected worke, whose autor was not knowne. VVhen that I had translated bit herto & perceaued that the latine interpretours rested heere: I perused by my selfe the whole fragment, to see whether I cold gather any iust cause to the contrary, but that it shoulde be turned to Englishe: I founde the doctrine sound, the history pleasaunt, the stile artificiall, and farre more curious then in the former bookes. The frase sauored of the latine, (and no force for Eusebius was well seene in bothe) the periods longe, though not often vsed throughout his histories, yet in others his workes very ri•••• and common. Though this fragment be founde more curious and artificiall, then the rest••n•• maruell at all▪ for mens giftes doe not serue them at all tymes alike. If this rule were obserued, & paised in the ballance voyd of all parciality there woulde not be so many pe••ces, so many tracts, & so ma∣ny learned workes of auncient writers, contemned and renounced, by reason that the frase in some point seemeth to differ or fall from the wonted grace. The learned clerke Antony Gueuarra was vsed to say: that at some tymes. & at some exercises, his memory would be so ready, his witts so fresh, and his skill so ex¦cellent, that he cold deuide a heare, & swepe a grayne▪ at other times he wished to himselfe not only fiue, but ten senses, which we cōmonly callwitts. Some things there are to be misliked wit hall in this fragment, first that it is out of order placed: next that there are sentences and periods, wrytten by Eusebius in the former. 18. chapiters repeated in this fragmēt. Toutching the repetion he that is acquainted with Euse∣bius will confesse: that oftentimes in many places he repeateth one thinge, though not vpon the selfe some occasiō, neither in the selfe same order, nether with the same words. he hath made mētion of his booke of martyrs & of the ••okes he wrote of the life of Phamphilus almost in euery booke. he reporteth the selfe same martyrdomes in diuerse bookes and sundry places. as for the placinge no maruell at allthough it be out of order, Eusebius published not his owne history but left it with his familiars. Alexander byshop of Ierusalem gathered bere and there, the scattered workes of the auncient wryters, copied them not as the authors wrote them, but as he founde them, and chayned them in the library at Ierusalem▪ Origē compiled into one volume the translations of the old testamēt and published them in such sort as pleased him best. Pamphilus martyr builded a library at Caesarea, and gathered the works of Origen and other wryters placing them as he thought good. Eusebius confesseth that in Caesarea he made indexes vnto the afore saydw••••ters altering the titles, chaūging the inscriptiōs, correcting their order, & fitting their place: sso it may be that the gatherer of Eusebius workes dealt with his histories not placinge this frag∣ment where Eusebius left it. But of mine owne parte (not••inding to conceale any thing from the reader here I founde it in greeke and heare I leaue it in English. The reasons which moue me that it is Eusebius,

doinges are these. first in this fragment he numbreth the moneths after the Gre••••ans as cap. ••••••. 21. 26.* 3.173 28. Zāthicus, Desius, Dius, Dystros, Panemus, Apellaeus, Audinaeus, Peritius, &c▪ so hath he done in sundry other places of his workes & namly ca. 3. of this. 8. book•• Secondly the author of this fragmēt was* 3.174 in Palaestina & sawe with hic eyes the martyr do••es suffred at Caesarea, and other places he was (cap. 22.) in the company of Apphianus, in one house with him at Palaestina a litle before he suffred. He saw (cap. 27.) the miracle at Caesarea when the postes, and stones in the streete, sw••t•• droppes of water. He sawe and heard cap. 30. Iohn the martyr, who was a blind man, preach and expound the Scripturs with great cōmendation. This reason is confirmed by that which Eusebius wrote in the 3. cap. of this 8. booke, where he sayeth. It is not our drift to describe the cōflicts of such as striued throughout the world (we leaue that for others) neither exactly to paint forth vnto the posteritye all that happened: but onely the things we sawe with our eyes and were done in our presence. Thirdly the author of* 3.175 this fragment was a familiar friende of Pamphilus the martyr, he writeth of him cap. 25. thus: Of which number was Pamphilus, of all my famillars, my derest friende. And cap. 29. be extolleth him vnto the skies. Sainct Ierom writeth, that because of his familiarity with Pamphilus he was called Eusebius Pamphilus. Fourthly the author of this fragment, as it is cap. 29. wrote the life of Pam∣philus* 3.176 in. 3. bookes, so hath Eusebius confessed of him selfe in sundry places, and Sainct Ierom, in his life wryteth the same of him, wherefore Eusebius was the author of this fragment. Fiftly the sayde author* 3.177 cap. 19. maketh mention of that, which Eusebius wrote cap. 14: and cap. 30. he maketh mention of that which Eusebius wrote cap. 2. as wrytten by himselfe, therefore it is like Eusebius wrote this fragmente. The sixt reason that moueth me to annexe this as parte of the booke, is the shortenes of the booke, for* 3.178 if we end at the 18. chapiter where the fragmente beginneth, the booke may seeme to be no booke but rather an entrance or beginning of a booke. Eusebius in the beginning of this. 8. booke cap. 2. promised to wryte of martyrs, thinkest thou Gentle reader, that he woulde be so briefe, and make so short a treatise, where occasion was ministred to wryte not one booke onely but rather. 3. bookes, if he were disposed (omitting nothing as he promised li. 1. ca. 1. touching the martyrs of his time) to write of all the martyr doms suffred vnder Diocletian, Maximinian and Maximinus. Last of all this fragment endeth in very* 3.179 good order. He promiseth to discourse of Maximinus the tyrantes recantation, the which Eusebius performeth in the booke followinge. For looke howe the. 8. booke endeth, with the same the. 9. beginneth. Therefore Eusebius was the author of this fragment.

CAP. XIX.

Howe the. 4. emperours Diocletian, Maximinian, Maximinus & Constantius ended their liues.

THe author of this former edict not long after his foresayd cōfession being rid of that his la∣mentable* 3.180 plight, departed this life. He is reported to haue bene the chiefe autor of the cala mity which befell vnto the christians during the time of persecution: & a good while agoe, before y^• whurly burly raised by the rest of the emperours, to haue gone about to peruert the chri∣stians which liued in warefare, but aboue all, such as were of his owne familye: to haue depriued some of their martiall dignity & renowne: to haue encreated some others reprochefully without al shame. Moreouer to haue persecuted some of them to the death, and last of all to haue prouoked y^• other his fellowe emperours to persecute all christendome, the ends of which emperours, if that I passed ouer with silence, I shoulde greatly offende. The empire being deuided into foure parts, foure seuerall princes bearing rule: they two which were first proclaimed emperours, and prefer red in honor before the rest, hauing not raigned fully two yeares after the persecution, deposed thē selues (* 3.181 as we haue sayd before) & led thence forth the rest of their liues, priuatly after y^• vulgare sorte of men, hauing such an end as followeth: the first hauing gotten y^• chief honor due to y^• impe∣riall scepter & primate by creation, after long, great & greuous disseases consumed & wasted away by a litle & a litle & so died. The seconde, secondarily ruling the empire, being priuey in consci••ce to many his lewd & mischiuous practises committed in his life time, hanged himselfe by the pro∣curemēt of a wicked spirite which ledd him thereunto. The later of them two which immediatly succeeded these, whome we haue termed y^• author & ringleader of y^• whole persecution, suffred such tormēts as we haue mētioned before. Cōstantius who wēt before him by vertue of his prerogatiue in y^• imperiall dignity, being a most mild & curteous emperour (as I sayd before) led a worthy life, during his whole raigne, not onely because y^t in other things he behaued himself most curteously & most liberally towards al mē: but also in y^• be was no partener w^t y^• enemy in the persecutiō raysed against vs, nay rather he maintained & preserued such as were of y^• godly vnder

his dominiō. he neither rifled neither destroied the holy churches, neither practised any other mis∣chief preiudiciall to the christian affairs, he obtained an end both blessed & thrise happy, he alone in his kingdome to y^• comfort of his naturall sonne & successor in the empire, a prince in all things both most sage & religious, enioyed a noble & a glorious death. His sonne forthwith entring into* 3.182 his raygne, was by the soldiers proclaimed chief emperour & Augustus, who imitated & that dili∣gently his fathers stepps as a paterne of piety to the embracing of christian religion. such an end at seuerall times had the aforesayd foure emperours. of y^• which, he alone mentioned a litle before together with others his emperiall associats published vnto the whole world by his writtē edict. the aforesayd confession.

CAP. XX.

Of the martyrs in Palastina.

IT was the ninetenth yeare of Diocletians raigne and the moneth Zanthicus, the which the Ro∣maynes* 3.183 call Aprill, the feast of Easter thē drawing nigh, Flauianus being gouerner of Palaesti∣na, whē the emperours edicts were euery where proclaimed, in y^t which it was commaunded y^t the churches should be destroyed, that the holy scriptures should be burned, y^t such as were of cre∣ditt should be contemned, y^t such as led a priuate life if they retayned the christian professiō should be depriued of their freedome. & such were the contents of the first Edict. but in the proclamation which immediatly folowed after it was added y^t the pastors throughout all congregations should first be imprisoned, next withall meanes possible constrained to sacrifice. to be short the first of the martyrs in Palaestina was Procopius who before he had bene any while imprisoned, stepping forth* 3.184 at the first iumpe before the tribunall seat of the presidents, & being commaunded to doe sacrifice vnto their gods, made answere: that to his knowledge there was but one only God, to whom, (as y^• selfe same God had cōmaunded) he was bound of duely to sacrifice. And when as they commaū∣ded him to offer sacrifice for y^• prosperous state of the foure emperours, he recited a certaine verse out of a poet which pleased thē not, for the which immediatly he was beheaded the verse was this:

Not many Lordes auayle vs here, let one beare rule and raygne.

This was y^e first spectacle exhibited at Caesarea in Palaestina the eight day of the moneth Desius before the seuenth of the Ides of Iune called of the Romaynes the. 4. day of the sabaoth. After him there suffred many of the inhabiters of the same citie, & of the chief gouernours of y^• ecclesiasticall affayrs, who endured & that cherefully most vitter torments, & gaue the aduenture of most valiāt enterprises. other some fainting for feare were quite discouraged at the first. all the rest tried the experience of sundry torments. one scurged from top toe, an other wrested vntil y^• his ribbs brake a sunder in the squising bonds, by reason whereof it fell out that some had their hands strooke of, & thus together they enioyed such an end as befell vnto them according vnto the secret wisedome & iudgement of God. one was led by the hand & lugged to the altar, & his hands violēt stretched to toutch their detestable sacrifices, & in the end let go for a sacrificer. an other when y^• he had neither approched neither toutched, & such as were present affirmed that he had sacrificed, departed with silence. one being halfe dead was borne away being throwen of them for dead, the same was tor∣mēted with bondes & reckned among the sacrificers. an other lifted his voyce & protested that he had not yelded at all, the same was beaten on the mouth & constrayned to kepe silence, by the force of many hands which stopped his breath & violētly excluded him when he had not sacrificed at al. & so it pleased them well, if at least wise they might seeme to bring their purpose to effect, but for all their mischieuous deuises the blessed martyrs of God only bare away y^• victory. againe y^• seuē∣teenth day of y^• moneth Dius, after the Romaynes the fifteenth of the Calendes of December, Al∣phaeus* 3.185 and Zachaeus, after they had bene lashed with whipps & mangled with rasors, after racking and greuous tormentes therein, after sundry questions demaunded of them, after they had layen in y^• stocks many dayes and many nights, their feet stretched foure spaces asunder, last of all whē they had freely confessed and boldely pronounced that there was but one onely God, & one kinge & captaine ouer all Iesus Christ (as if herein they had vttered blasphemy or treason) they were in like maner beheaded euen as the martyr mētioned a litle before. Moreouer the history toutching Romanus y^• martyr, who suffred the same day at Antioch is worthie of memory. He was borne in Palaestina, he was deacon and exorcist of the church of Caesarea, & as it fell out being in Antioch at the ruyne and desolation of y^• churches, & beholding with his eyes great multituds both of men women and children flocking vnto the altars and offering sacrifices to the Idols, supposed it was

his duety in no wise to winck thereat: wherefore he being moued with singular zeale of the spirit of God, drewe nigh vnto them, exclaimed against them, and sharpely rebuked them. Who, for so bold an enterprise was apprehended, & shewed him selfe a valiāt witnes or testifier (if then there was any such in the world) of the trueth in Christ. For when the iudge threatned him death with flashing fire that consumeth to ashes, he of the contrary embraced his offer most willingly, with cherefull countenance and gladsome courage, and with all, is brought vnto the place of execution. Being bounde to the stake while the officers threwe fagotts about him, and such as were appoin∣ted to kindle the fire, wayted for the emperours watch worde & pleasure (who then was presente) he shouted vnto them from the stake: where I pray you is the fire? The whiche he had no sooner spoken, but the Emperour called him vnto him, to the ende he shoulde suffer a newe and straūge kinde of torment, to wete: that his tongue might be plucked out of his mouth, the which he con∣stantly endured, and thereby declared at large, howe that the deuine power, and grace of God, neuer fayleth them, which suffer for godlines sake, but alwayes ether easeth their labours, & sla∣keth theyr griefs, or els graunteth courage, and might to endure paciently vnto the ende. This blessed sainct as soone as he had vnderstoode of their newe deuised torment, beinge valiantly di∣sposed, neuer staggered thereat, but voluntarily put out his tongue, & yelded the same, which was fully instructed in the word of God, vnto the tormentors hands. After which tormēt he was clapt in prison, and there plagued alonge time, at length, when the twentieth yeare of the Emperours raygne was nowe expired, at what time a generall pardon was proclaimed y^t all prisoners should be sett at liberty, he alone lying in the stockes and his feete stretched fiue spaces asunder, had his necke compassed with a haulter and thus in prison stifled to death, so that hereby according vnto his desire, he was crowned with martyrdome. This man although he suffred out of the bounds of his natiue soyle, yet being a Palaestinian by birth, is worthy to be canonized amōg the martyrs of Palaestina. Such were the tragicall affayrs of the church in Palaestina the first yeare of the perse∣cution, which was chiefly bent against y^• presidents of our doctrine & byshops of y^• church of God.

CAP. XXI.

Of the martyrs which suffred in Caesarea the seconde yeare of the persecution vnder Diocletian, and of the alteration of the Empire.

THe second yeare nowe being come, when the persecution raised against vs waxed hott & the proclamations of the Emperours, (where it was generally cōmaunded that both mē wo∣men & children, throughout euery citie and village should be constrained to sacrifice & offer incense to Idols) were newly come to the hands of Vrbanus, then lyuetenant of y^• prouince: Timo∣theus* 3.186 of Gaza in Palaestina after infinite torments the which he endured, & laste of all being boūd to the stake & enuironed with slacke & slowe fire, gaue forth a worthy triall of his zeale godwards through pacient sufferance in all the bitter punishments laid vpon him, and in the end bare away the garlande of victory vsually graunted to all y^• valiant champions which wrastle for piety & the seruice of God. At y^• same time Agapius & Thecla also (which liued in this our age) she wed y^• wor∣thy* 3.187 constancy of their noble minds, when as at y^• cōmaundement of the iudge they were throwen at the feete of wild beasts, to be ether deuoured or torne in peeces. What man is he that ether be∣holdinge with his eyes the thinges which ensued, will not fall into admiration, or lendinge onely the bare eare vnto the recitall of them, will not be astonied thereat? For when as the Ethniks so∣lemnized their publick feastes, and celebrated their wonted spectacles amongst other their mery* 3.188 newes & gladsome wishes, it was commonly noyced abrode that the christians lately condemned to wild beasts, made all the sport and finished the solemnity. This report being farre and nigh and euery where bruted abrode, yonge striplings to the number of six, whereof one was of Pontus by name Timolaus: the second of Tripolis a citie in Phaenicia called Dionysius: the third by name Ro∣mulus, subdeacon of the church of Diospolis: the fourth Pausis the fift Alexander bothe Aegypti∣ans: the sixt Alexander (of the same name with him that went before) of the citie of Gaza ioyning handes and hartes together (signifiyng thereby the feruent loue they owed to martyrdome) went with speede vnto Ʋrbanus who a litle before had let loose the raueninge beastes to rent the chri∣stiās in peeces, and frely protested the christian faith, declaring by this their promptnes and wil∣ling minds, as it were absolutely furnished to giue the onsett of what aduenture soeuer: that suche as glory in the title, worshipp and seruice of the great God, creator of the whole world, haue not to tremble at y^• fierce rage of furious and sauadge beastes. Wherevpon both the president and the

people, fell into great admiration, and the confessors were forth with clapt in prison. Not longe* 3.189 after there were other two committed to take their lots among them, wherof, one, by name Aga∣pius, had before that time yelded an accompt of his faith by suffring of many bitter and greeuous torments: the other by name Dionysius who carefully prouided for the corporall reliefe of the Martyrs. All these in number eyght, were in one day beheaded in the citie of Caesarea, the foure and twentieth daye of the moneth Dystros, that is: the ninth of the Calendes of Aprill. About that tyme two of the Emperours, whereof the firste enioyed the prerogatiue of honor, the se∣conde was next which gouerned the Empire, embraced a priuate trade of lyuinge after the vul∣gare sort of men, and the state of the publicke weale immediatly beganne to decaye. In a while after the Romaine Empire was deuided, the Emperours amonge them selues one againste an other fought great and greuous battailes, neither was that tumult and sedition ceassed, before that firste of all peace was restored and established throughout all the parts of the worlde which were subiect to the Romaine Empire. for when as peace once appeared againe, much like sonne beames shining after a mistie and darke night, the publicke state of the Romaine empire was a gaine established, the bonde of amitie linked againe, mutuall amitie and concord retained of olde, was againe recouered. But of these things we will entreate hereafter more at large, when more fitt oportunitie shall serue, now let vs proceede vnto that which followeth.

CAP. XXII.

Of Apphianus the Martyr.

MAximinus Caesar who by maine force intruded him selfe into the Empire, laynge wyde open vnto the whole worlde manifest proofes of his deadly hatred and impietie towards God, as it were naturally growing in his fleshe and graffed in his bones: persecuted vs more vehemently and more generally then the other his superior emperours. wherfore when as trouble & tumult & no small confusion hanged ouer our heads, & some were here & there scattered, endeuoring by all meanes possible to auoide y^t perill ensuing, & that a greuous cōmotion had now ouerrunne the contrie: no tōgue can worthely declare, no speache sufficiently expresse, the deuine* 3.190 loue & liberty of faith wherewith Apphianus y^• blessed martyr of God yelded an accōpt of his pro∣fession. Who shewed vnto y^• citizens of Caesarea, assēbled at their spectacle or sacrifice in y^• porche of the tēple, a liuely signe or tokē of the singular zeale he bare godwards, when he was not at that time, no not xx. yeare old. he cōtinewed a long time at Berytos in Phaenicia, applying his minde to the study of prophane literature, for he came of such parents as flowed in worldly wealth. It is in maner incredible how he ouercame all youthly affectiōs & drowned all his wild otes in so vicious & so corrupt a citie: & how y^t neither by reason of his youthly floure, lately florishing in his greene body: neither by reason of his cōpanie and acquaintance with youthly mates: he sucked the iuyce neither swallowed the sopps of lewde and wanton conuersation: but embracing temperancie, led a reuerent life, peculier to christian religion in modesty, sobrietie & godlines. If in case we be cō∣strained to mention his contrey, and to honor the same for bringing forth so valiant a champiō to wrastle in the cāpe of this world vnder the bāner of Christ, truely we will performe the same, nei∣ther without good consideration. for who so euer knoweth Pagas, no obscure citie of Lycia, it was* 3.191 there, that this yong man was borne. he after his returne from schoole, and the study of prophane literature applied at Berytos, not pleased with the conuersation of his father (who then gouerned that whole contrey) neither with the conuersation of his kinsfolks with whome he liued, because they framed not their liues after the rule of piety: being pricked with the instinct & motion of the spirite of God, & inflamed with a certaine naturall, nay rather celestiall & true loue of sincere wis∣dome, cast in his mind to consider of weyghtyer matters, then this fayned & counterfeite glory of the world beares vs in hande. laying aside therfore all the sweete baites of fleshly pleasure, he for∣sooke & fled away priuely from his friends and families, not weying at all the want of necessary prouision, but casting his whole care & confidence vp•••• God, was ledd no doubt by the deuine spi∣rite as it were by a stryng into the city of Caesarea, where the crowne of martyrdome, beynge the reward of godlines, was prepared for him. for whilest that he liued among vs, he profited in holy scripture, during that short terme of his life, more then any man coulde thinke, and practised such discipline as tended to godly life, preparing a perfect way to dye well. But toutching the ende he made, who is it that beholdinge the same with single eye wyll not be astonyed? and howe so euer

againe he be disposed which only with fame and hearesay attaineth vnto the knowledge, of his set∣led mind, his noble courage, his immouable constancie, and aboue all his faithfull trust & endeuour wherby the tokens of vnfained godlines, and feruent spirite appeared which passed all the reach of mans reasons, how can he chuse but wōder therat? for when as in y^• third yeare of our persecution, vnder the raigne of Maximinus, the seconde whurlyburlie was raysed against vs, and the tyrants letters then first of all were brought to Vrbanus, charging all the people of what degree or callinge* 3.192 so euer that they shoulde sacrifice vnto their gods (the magistrats also throughout euery cytie bu∣sily applying them selues to the same) and that the beadells throughout all the cytie of Caesarea, shoulde by vertue of the Presidents edict, summone, the fathers, the mothers, and their children to appeare at the Idols temple, and that the Tribunes shoulde likewise out of a scroule call eue∣ry one by his name: (by reason whereof there was no where but heauynesse, sobbinge and sigh∣inge):* 3.193 the aforesayde Apphianus (letting not one to vnderstande of his purpose,) vnknow∣inge vnto vs which accompanyed with him in one house, vnknowinge vnto the whole bande of the captayne, came cherefully vnto Ʋrbanus the President as he was a sacrificinge, and boldly without any feare at all, tooke holde in his ryght hande and stayed him forthwith from doynge sacrifice, exhortinge him also both wisely and grauely with a certayne godly protestation and cheerefulnesse of minde, thenceforth to ceasse and be no more seduced: sayinge moreouer there was no reason that he shoulde despise the one & the onely true God, and offer sacrifice to idols and to deuells. Such an enterprise the yonge man tooke in hande, beynge prouoked thereunto (as it seemeth vnto vs) by the deuine power of God, sounding in the eares of all mortall men by this his fact: that the Christians which ryghtly do chalenge that name, are farre from falling away from the seruice due vnto God the author of all goodnesse, so that they not onely suffer and vari∣antly endure threates, and plagues, and punishments, which commonly chaunce vnto them but thenceforth also pleade more boldly and yeelde an accompt of their faith more freely, their tongue neither stuttinge neither stammeringe for feare, yea and if it may any kind of waye come to passe, they dare reuoke the persecutors and tormentors them selues from their blinde igno∣rance, and constrayne them to acknowledge and embrace the one onely God. Immediatly af∣ter,* 3.194 he, of whome I speake (as it was moste like to happen vnto so bolde an enterprise) was haled of the Presidents trayne, as of sauadge beastes furiously raging against him, and tormen∣ted ouer all his bodie with infinite stripes the which he paciently suffred, and for a while was clapt in prison. Where for one whole daye and nyght he was piteously tormented with both his feete in the stockes streatched farre a sunder, the thirde daye he was brought forth before the Iudge. And as soone as they enioyned him to sacrifice, he resisted, and shewed forth the greate pacience ingraffed in his minde, for the suffringe of all terrors and horrible punishments: so that the executioners rent his sides with the lashe of the whippe, not once and twise, but often euen vnto the bone and inwarde bowells, lashinge him also on the face and the necke, vntill that his face was swollen with the print of the stripes, so that they which afore time knewe him well and discerned him by his countenance, thenceforth missed of their marke, and knewe him not at all. When they sawe he woulde not yeelde for all these manifolde and sundrie tormentes, the executioners at the commaundemēt of the president, wrapped his feete in slaxe oyled all ouer and sette the same a fire, whereof howe great, and what greuous payne be suffred, I am not able to ex∣presse. It runne ouer his fleshe, it consumed the same, and pearced vnto the marowe bredd within* 3.195 the bones, so that his whole bodie larded and distilled muche like vnto droppinge and meltinge waxe. Yet there was breath left, and life remaininge for all these torments, the aduersaries and executioners them selues were weryed at his intollerable pacience, which farre exceeded the common nature of man, after all this the seconde time he is cast into prison. Three dayes after he is brought againe before the Iudge, and beyng founde freely to confesse the same faith as afore∣time, although by reason of his woundes, he was readie to yeelde vp the ghost, yet was he throwen into the surginge waues of the seas. If we shoulde make relation of the miracle which immediatly followed, peraduenture such as sawe it not with their eyes, will giue no creditt at all thereunto, and though we perswade our selues, that men will hardlie beleue it: yet there is no reason to the contrarie but that we committe to memorie, and deliuer in writinge the historie as it was indeede, insomuch as in maner all which inhabite Caesarea are witnesses to the same. There was no, not a childe in Caesarea, but was present at this straunge spectacle. As soone as they had plunged (as it pleased them best) that holie and blessed martyr of Christ in the deepe

goulphes of the mayne sea: there rose vpon a sodaine such a storme (not after the wonted maner of weather) and such a noyse in the ayre, (not onely ouer the sea but ouer the whole lande) whiche* 3.196 shooke both the earth, and the whole citie, with the violence and force therof: and together with this wonderfull and sodaine earthquake the sea caste vp before the gates of the citie, the martyrs carcasse, as if it had bene of strength not bigge inough to beare so holie a burthen. Such were the circumstances toutching blessed Apphianus, who suffred martyrdome, on good friday, that is: the second day of the moneth Zanthicus, the 4. of the Nones of Aprill.

CAP. XXIII.

The Martyrdome of Vlpianus and Aedesius.

THe same time of the yeare, and in maner on the selfe same dayes, in the citie of Tyrus, there* 3.197 was a yonge man by name Vlpianus, who after most bitter stripes and greuous lashes, was wrapped together with a dogge and a serpent in a greene oxe hyde, and caste into the deapth of the sea. And therefore I thought good to place him the next martyr in order of historie vnto Apphianus. Not long after, Aedesius, not onely brother in God, but also by birth and blood, naturall brother by the fathers side vnto Apphianus, suffred like brotherly, and in maner the selfe same torments with him: after infinite confessions of his faith: after long fettering and stocking: after sentence pronounced of the president, cōdemning him to the myne pitts & quarries in Palae∣stina: after his holy trade of life, led vnder the philosophicall habite, being farre more profounde in prophane literature, and better skilled in philosophie then his brother: at length hearinge the Iudge, giue sentence vpon the Christians in the citie of Alexandria and raging against them be∣yonde all reason, shamefully entreating, some times graue and sage, and sober men, some other times deliueringe chaste matrons, and consecrated virgins, to brothell houses, to the ende they should be beastly abused: he enterprised the selfe same thinge which his brother had done before.* 3.198 And because he could in no wise away with those horrible offences, he went boldly and courage∣ously vnto the Iudge, and told him to his face of the filthie and shamefull acts he had done both by worde and deede. for which bolde reprehension he suffred sundry bitter torments, with great con∣stancie and pacience. and last of all he was throwen into the sea, enioying the like ende with his brother. so farre of Aedesius. And these things as I sayd before ensued not long after.

CAP. XXIIII.

Of Agapius the Martyr

IN the fourth yeare of the persecution which plagued vs sore, and the twelft Calendes of De∣cember, the twentieth day of the moneth Dius beyng the fridaie, and in the same citie of Caesa∣rea, such an act was committed in the presence of Maximinus the tyrant (who then celebrated his birth day, with royall spectacles and sumptuous maskes together with the people) as may be thought worthy of memory, and the printing in marble. And because the custome then preuailed, that sundry showes (how so euer it fell out at other times) in presence of the emperours should be exhibited with princely port & maiestie to their great delight & pleasure: and that varietie full of newe and straunge deuises besides the common and vsuall maner, should then be ministred, so that some times beasts which were fett out of India, Aethiopia, & other places were let loose in cōpasse of the theatre: some other times men with lewde and wanton gestures, delited the beholders won∣derfully, and the emperour also him selfe made sport and pastime: it behoued that a notable spe∣ctacle full of admiration shoulde shine in that gorgeous and princely showe. And what thinke you was that? A martyr and a witnesse of our christian religion, brought to the ringe, and readie to wrastle for the sole and syncere seruice of God, by name Agapius, whome (a little before) we haue reported to haue bene throwen together with Thecla, at the feete of wylde beasts. he beyng brought out of prison and linked with malefactors to pastime and sport the people, when that he had openly runne the race, and played the man, and that thrise, yea and oftenner to, because the Iudge after sundrie threates, & sundry torments, (either pitying his case or hoping he woulde re∣cant) reserued him to other newe combatts: at length he is agayne brought forth in presence of the Emperour, no doubt beynge appoynted for that fitte tyme, that the sayinge of our sa∣uiour, foreshewed vnto his disciples (to wete: They should be brought before kings and princes* 3.199 to witnesse of him) might truely be fulfilled in him. first of all he is brought forth together with a

malefactor and a wicked varlet, of whome the report went, that he murthered his maister. After∣wards* 3.200 this varlet who of ryght shoulde haue bene deuoured of wild beasts, was pardoned by the bountifulnes and clemencie of the Emperour, euen in maner after the example of Barrabas the murtherer, whome the levves begged of Pilate, condemning Christ, wherat the whole theatre re∣ioyced and shouted: because that he was not only graciously pardoned by the Emperour, but also restored to honor and fredome. But this faithfull and godly champion, first of all is called vpon of the tyrant, next intreated to reuoke his opinion, he is promised to be sett at libertie: of the contra∣ry he plainely pronounceth and that with a lowde voyce, that he was disposed, and woulde wil∣lingly suffer, and that with all his hart, all the torments and plagues that shoulde be layde vpon him, not for any horrible or haynous crime committed by him, but for Gods cause and in his qua∣rell, who was the creator of all thinges. The which he had no sooner spoken but it came to pa••••e, for there was a Beare let loose at him, the which he mette face to face and yelded him selfe wil∣lingly to be deuoured. Last of all while as yet he drewe breath he was cast into prison, where he continewed one whole day, the thirde day he had stones tyed to his feete and him selfe throwen in the deapth of the sea. such was the martyrdome of Agapius.

CAP. XXV.

The martyrdome of Theodosia a virgine, of Domninus and Auxentius, the death of Ʋrbanus the president.

THe persecution beyng nowe continewed vnto the fift yeare, the seconde daye of the moneth Zanthicus, to wete the 4. of the Nonnes of Aprill, the selfe same sonday being the resurrec∣tion of our sauiour, & called the feast of Easter, againe Theodosia a virgine, a modest & chri∣stian mayd of Tyrus, who had neuer yet seene the full cōpasse of eightene yeares, came to certaine prisoners in Caesarea stāding at y^• barre which with cōstancy protested y^• kingdome of Christ, both louingly to salute them, & also (as it is very like) to entreate thē to remēber her after their depar∣ture vnto the Lord. the which when she had done (as if hereby she had cōmitted some hainous and horrible offence) y^• catchpoles hale hir & present hir before the president. he forth with like a mad mā, bereued of his wits scourgeth her bare sides with bitter and greuous lashes, renteth with the* 3.201 whip her white breasts, & tender duggs, vnto the bare bones. In the end this holy virgine hardly drawing breath yet pacient, & cherefull inough, for all these punishments, was throwen at the cō∣mādemēt of y^• presidēt into y^• swift waues of y^• surging seas. Afterwards hauing ended with hir, he takes the other cōfessors in hand, & condemneth thē to the digging of metalls in Phaenos of Palae∣stina. After these thinges the fift day of the moneth Dius, after the Romaines in the nonnes of No¦uember, the same president in the selfe same citie cōdemned Siluanus (who as then was minister &* 3.202 had freely protested his faith, who also in a while after was chosen bishop & dyed a martyr) toge∣ther with other confessors, after their great constancy in defence of christian religion, to the same druggery & digging of metalls. first he commaunded their knees should be vnioynted & sawed of, afterwards seared with hott yron, & then sent to the quarries. The sentēce was no sooner pronoū∣ced vpon these, but he chargeth that Domninus (a man very famous among the inhabitants of Pa∣laestina, for his infinite protestations of the Christian faith, and his libertie of speache in the be∣halfe of our religion) should be bounde to the stake and burned to ashes. after whose condēnation, the same iudge, a suttle inuentor of michiefe, & deuiser of crafty sleyghts contrary to the doctrine of Christ, found out such punishments as neuer were heard of before to vexe the godly withall. he* 3.203 gaue sentēce that three of thē should buckle, iuyst, and buffet one an other. he deliuered Auxentius a graue, a godly, & a good old man, to be torne in peces of wild beasts. other some, of mens estate, and of great strength, he gelded and condēned to y^• quarries. againe others he tormēted greuously and chasticed with imprisonment and fetters. of which nūber was Pamphilus, of all my familiars, my dearest friende, a man who amonge all the Martyrs of our tyme, excelled for euery kinde of vertue. First Ʋrbanus made a tryall of his gift of vtterance and skill in philosophicall discipline, next he enioyned him to sacrifice, whome, when he perceaued to be altogether vnwillinge, and not at all to weye of his thunderinge speaches, beyng throughly moued with boyling choler, and* 3.204 burning heate of furious rage, cōmaundes that forth with he should be greuously and bitterly tor∣mented. wherefore the mercilesse and moste cruell president, mangled the tender sides of the bles∣sed martyr with the longe incision of sharpe rasors, at length hauinge his fill, and as it were

ashamed of his fact, commaundeth he should be kept in the noysome stinch of the close prison, where the rest of the confessors remayned. but what maner of reward Vrbanus was like to enioye after this life, by the iust iudgement of God and vengeance like to light vpon him 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for so great crueltie and tyranny practised vpon the sainctes of God and blessed Martyrs of Iesus Christ, we may easily ga∣ther by the plagues which happened vnto him in this life, which wer•• 〈…〉〈…〉 or preambles▪ vn∣to eternall punishments in the life to come▪ for not long after this villany exercised vpon Pamphilus, vengeance from aboue beganne on a sodaine to take holde ••pon him (while as yet he gouerned) in this sorte. He who lately being placed in an highe and lofty throne pronounced sentence and gaue iudgement: he who a litle before was garded with a troope of souldiers: he who gouerned▪ all the countrey of Palaestina: he who was hayle mate, and liued cheeke by ••ole with the Emperour▪ euen he who was of his secretie and companion at meate: the same, by the iust iudgement of God▪ in one* 3.205 night, was not onely depriued of all so greate a porte and dignitie. shamefully and ••e••r••••••fully handled in the presence of all them which afore time had reuerenced him with princely honor▪ pro∣ued a timorous and a cowardly▪ ••aytif, so that he whyned like a childe and cryed helpe, of the whole nation which he had ruled: but also founde Maximinus an heauy friende, a sore: and cruell iudge (on whome heretofore he boldened him selfe, he bragged and boasted, vpon whome he buylded, who also was in great creditt with him. because of the crueltie he shewed vnto the Christians▪) so that after great shame and ignominie (being conuinced of haynous crimes and horrible treachery) he was of him condemned to dye. but this by the way▪ opportunitie hereafter will serue, with more leasure, largely to entreate of the endes of the other wicked, specially of such as striued against vs, & also of Maximinus together with his adherents.

CAP. XXVI.

Of diuers confessors that were tormented. The martyrdome of a women that were virgins, and of Paulus.

IN the sixt yeare of the persecution when the sturre was great, and the smoke therof 〈…〉〈…〉 hott in a certayne village of Thebais called Porphyris (so named by reason of the veyne of redd mar∣ble which there did grow) there was a great number of confessors, of the which a hundreth (three onely excepted) men women and children together with tender sucklings, were sent to Pirmilianus President of Palestina who lately succeeded in the rowme of Vrbanus. The which confessors, when they had protested their fayth in Christ, and trust in God, the creator, and author of all goodnes, he so handled, that he commaunded (and that through the aduise of the Emperour) not onely their left* 3.206 legges should be sawed asunder in the knee; sinewes, and all, with a hott glowing saw: but also their right eyes to be stickt on the point of a bodkine, the apple, eye lidd and all, to be quite digged out & seared to the inner beynes, with an hott scalding yron: laste of all they shoulde be condemned to the myne pitts and quarryes within the same prouince, for further misery & greater affliction. Neyther was it inough for him to behold with his eyes, these whiche endured such torments, but he woulde also se before his face, such as out of Palaestina (mentioned a litle before) he had enioyned to Iust one with an other, being neyther relieued at the Emperours cost and charges, neyther trayned in any such tryumphant exercise, or brought vp, in any such championlike combat. They signified this not onely to the Emperours officers, but also to the face of the Emperour Maximinus him selfe, yel∣ding forth signes of their most valiant constancye in Christ Iesu, both by suffering of hunger and bitter corments, all which they sustayned together with the aforesayd, and other confessors allotted vnto their number out of the sayd Caesarea. Immediatly after these, there were others apprehended whiche assembled them selues together in the citie of Gaza to heare a Sermon, of whiche number some were alike tormented in the eye and the legge, some others had both their sides rent in peeces with greater payne. Among the which there was one, by sexe a woman, but in might, and valiant∣nes of minde, no lesse then man, when as in no wise she coulde away with the threats of abusing her bodye, (such an inkling had the tyrant geuen and committed the gouernement of the common wealth to cruell Magistrats) first she was scurged, then tyed to an high tree, yelding forth a pitifull shewe of the sore stripes printed in her sides. When the executioners at the commaundement of the iudge had greuously aflicted her, an other woman deseruing farre greater commendation then such as the Grecians call Champions, (who for valiantnes and noble prowesse are highly praysed of all men) laying before her the selfe same marke of virginitie to shoote at with the former mayden, though in bewtie she excelled not, though in countenance she seemed abiect, yet in minde was she

valiant, shewing greater courage within, then bewty without▪ misliking therefore with this cru∣ell dealing, out of the nuddest of the throng, she cried out vnto the indg▪ how long doest thou, thus cruelly torment my sister? he boyling for anger, bid••s them forthwith lay holde o•• her, then was she brought to pleade for her selfe, who in playne wordes, and freely professing the reuerent name of our Sauiour Iesu, is first with fayre speaches allured to sacrifice, the which when she refused, with force they ••rue her to the altare. Then she behauing her selfe after her valiant courage, fal∣ling not a iote from her former minde, stoode bolt vpright, shouldred the altare, kicked and stam∣ped it with her feete, turned it vpside downe and ouerthrewe the altare, the fire, the fagott, the sa∣crifice and all downe to the grounde. Whereupon the iudge much like a furious beaste, boyling with coller and fiery heate of foming wrath, gaue out charge, that she shoulde haue more stripes layde on her sides, then any other afore time, and could haue founde in his heart for very madnes, to teare her fleshe in peeces with his teeth. Before this raging tyrant could haue his fill, he com∣maunded that this woman together w^t the other (the which she called her sister) should be throwē* 3.207 into the flashing fire, so that their fleshe might broyle and their bones burne to ashes. of the which we haue to vnderstand that the first was of Gaza, the seconde of Caesarca, by name Ʋalentina, and well knowne of many. The martyrdome which immediatly after the holy and thrise happy Pau∣lus suffred, I am not able for the worthines thereof sufficiently to declare. At the selfe same mo∣ment, together with the women, and with the one and the same sentence, he being condemned to dye, requested of the hangeman (when his heade was nowe going to the blocke and ready to be chopt of) that he woulde graunt him a litle space to remember him selfe, the which being obtay∣ned, first of all with a cleare and audible voyce he prayeth vnto God that his felowe Gentiles the* 3.208 Christians might be reconciled vnto his fauour: he humbly requested that peace and libertye might be restored vnto them: then for the Iewes he prayeth, that they might haue grace to turne wholly vnto God by the meanes of Christ: afterwards going on stil in his prayer, he required the same for the Samaritans: to be short, he craued that all nations wallowing in error and ignorance so blinded that they could not see the glorious Gospell of the sonne of God, might at length he ga∣thered together into one folde and embrace the true religion and godlines. neither did he forgett (by contemning or depriuing them of his prayer) the seely multitude whiche was rounde about him. last of all (o the wonderfull and vnspeakeable mildnes and pacience of the Martyr) he pray∣ed* 3.209 vnto almighty God, for the iudge which condemned him to death, for the Emperours also, and for the hangman which was ready to strike of his heade, (in the hearing of him, and all such as were present) that this their haynous offence might not be layde to their charge. With these and the like petitions, being innocent, not deseruing death at all, he moued all that were about him to sobb•• and sighe and to shede bitter and salt teares: he for all that, preparing him selfe to dye, lay∣ing most willingly his heade on the blocke, and his bare necke to the sharpe edge of the glistering* 3.210 sword, was martyred the 25. day of the moneth Panemus, to wete the eight of the Calends of Au∣gust. And such were the happy endes of these blessed Martyrs.

CAP. XXVII.

The punishments of a hundreth and 30. confessors. The martyrdome of Antonius, Zebinas, Germanus, and Ennathas a woman. The straung miracle reprouing the hardnes of mans hart.

NOt long after there were a hundreth and thirty valiant champions out of the contrey of* 3.211 Aegypt, protesting their fayth in Christ and religion Godwards, whiche at the commaun∣dement of Maximinus, suffred in Aegypt it selfe, the like torments of eyes and legges, with the other mentioned a litle before, of the which number some were condemned to the myne pitts and quarries within Palaestina, the rest to the mettalls in Cilicia. Wherefore together with these haynous and horrible treacheries, practised agaynst the noble, & renowmed Martyrs of Christ, the great heate of persecution was asswaged, and the flame thereof (as it seemed vnto vs) by rea∣son of their holy and sacred blood, was quenched, and now pardon, and freedome, and liberty was graunted vnto the confessors of Thebais, who were oppressed with druggery in the digging of the mettalls growing in that region: and we poore seely Christians, went about to recreate our selues, in this calme season of quiet peace: but he (as the deuill woulde) in whose hande it lay to persecute vs, I wott not howe, neither by what motion, was againe throughly and wonderfully

incensed agaynst the Christians. therefore vpon a sodayne the letters of Maximinus were sent* 3.212 to rayse persecution agaynst vs into all and euery of the prouinces. Whereupon the Presidents and the graunde captayne of the Emperours whole hoste, gaue out commaundement, by writts, by Epistles, and publicke decrees vnto the wardens throughout euery citye, vnto the gouer∣nours and rulers of garrisons, vnto auditors, and recorders, that the Emperours edict with all speede might take effect: and charged moreouer that with all celeritye they shoulde repaire, and baylde agayne the Idoll groues, and temples of deuills, lately gone to ruine: and also they shoulde bring to passe that men, and women, their housholds and families, their sonnes and their seruants, together with the tender sucklinges, hanging at their mothers breastes, shoulde sacrifice, and in very deede taste of the sacrifices them selues: that the vi••tuals bought, and solde in the markett, the meate in the shambles, shoulde be defiled and stayned with these im∣pure oblations: and that there shoulde be porters assigned for the bathes to see that such as pur∣ged their filthe and bayned them selues within, shoulde afterwardes without, pollute them sel∣ues, with those detestable and cursed sacrifices. These thinges being come to this passe, and the Christians being (as it is moste like) altogether dismayed at these sadd and sorowfull plun∣ges wherewith they were helde: and the Gentiles and Ethnicks them selues complayned of the intollerable, absurde, and toe toe shamefull a dealing (for they were clo••ed with to much cru∣eltie and tyrannye) and this lamentable season hanging euery where ouer our heades: the di∣uine power of our Lorde and Sauiour agayne, gaue vnto these his champions, such valiant courage of minde, and inspyred them as it were from aboue, that (being neyther compelled, neyther forced to yelde an accompt of their fayth) they shoulde voluntarily offer them selues set at nought, treade downe, and stampe vnder foote, all the terrors and threats whiche the e∣nemye coulde deuise. Three therefore of the faythfull Christians lincked together in one minde, leapt vnto the President, as he sacrificed, and with a loude voy••e, exhorted him, to reforme him selfe, to reuoke his error, and to leaue his folly, affirming there was none other God but he, who was the author and finisher of all thing••••▪ And being demaunded who and what they were? boldly made aunswere that they were Christians. whereat Firmilianus being vehemently moued, without any more adoe or farther punishment commaunded forthwith they shoulde be* 3.213 beheaded. of the which the first was a minister by name Antonius, the seconde Zebinas of Eleuthe∣ropolis, the thirde Germanus. These circumstances which concerned them were done the 13. day of the moneth Dius, to wete in y^• Ides of Nouember. The selfe same day a certayne woman called Ennathas of Scythopolis, bedecked w^t the glistering floure of glorious virginitie, came thither to∣gether w^t these martyrs, she offred not her self voluntarily as they did, but was by force drawen & brought before y^• iudge. Wherupon after stripes, after greuous & reprochful torments, which the iudge enioyned her to endure, a certain tribune by name Maxis, whose office & charg was at hand* 3.214 a man as in appellation, so in condition very wicked: & as otherwise he was impiously and pernici∣ously geuen, so was he in body bigge set & wonderful strong, in behauiour beastly & toe toe cruel, & among al such as knew him, noted for an infamous person: this wicked tribune without y^• authority of y^• higher power, tooke in hand this blessed virgin, put of all her apparell, so that her whole bo∣dy (sauing from girdle downewards) was seene all bare. this mayde he ledd throughout all the ci∣tie of Caesarea, and with great pleasure lashed her with whipps (he was delited with the sounde of the lashe) throughout all the market place and the open streetes. The which standing at the barre, (after all those infinite torments) where the President vsed to pronounce sentence, shewing forth y^• great constancy of her mind in the defence of her faith, the iudg commaunded she should be burned quicke. but he proceeding in cruelty and daily encreasing his sauadge woodnes against y^• Saincts of God, passed the boundes of nature, shamefully forbidding the senselesse carkasses of y^• holy sain∣ctes to enioy solempe barial, and therefore he commaunded y^• the dead coarses, should be kept day & night aboue grounde, to the ende wilde beasts might rent them in peeces. so y^• ye might see, for the space of many dayes, no small number of men, obeying this cruell and vnnaturall commaunde∣ment. and moreouer some watched diligently, kenning from ••owres, casements, and high places (as if hereby they had done vnto God good seruice) lest the dead carkasses were priuely conueyed and stolen away. Wherfore the brutish beasts, the rauenous doggs and griping ••oule of the ayre, tore in peeces mans flesh, lugging here and there, their quartered members, & the whole city was euery where strawed with the torne bowells and bruised bones of the blessed Martyrs, so that they whiche afore tyme were egerly bent agaynst vs, nowe confessed playnely that they neuer sawe

a more cruell act, or a more horrible sight then this was, and bewayled not onely the misery and la∣mentable state of such as were thus afflicted but also their owne case, and the ignominie redounding therby vnto nature, the common parent of all. This spectacle of mans fleshe, not in one place deuou∣red, but piteously scattered euery where, was subiect to euery mans eye, rounde about the walls of the towne and exceeded all that thereof may be spoken, and euery lamentable and tragicall shewe. Some reported they sawe quarters, whole carkasses, and peeces of bowells within the walls of the citie. while this continewed the space of many dayes, such a miracle was seene as followeth. When* 3.215 the weather was calme, aud the ayre cleare, and the cloudes vnder heauen (which compasseth all) banished away: the pillers of the citie, (vpon a sodaine,) which helde vp the great and common por∣ches, swett or rather poured out many droppes of water much like vnto teares, the markett place also, and the streetes (when as there fell not a droppe of rayne) I wot not how, neither whence, so∣ked with moysture and sprinkled dropps of water: so that immediatly the rumor was bruted abroad in euery mans mouth: that the earth being not able to away with the hainous and horrible offences of those dayes, poured out infinite teares after a wonderfull sort: and that the stones and senselesse creatures bewayled those detestable mischieues, reprouing man most iustly, for his sto••y heart, his cruell minde voyde of all pitie and compassion. but peraduenture this story will seeme fabulous and ridiculous vnto the posterity, yet not vnto such as then were present, and were fully perswaded with the trueth thereof.

CAP. XXVIII.

The martyrdome of Ares, Promus, Elias, Petrus Apselamus, and Asclepius a Bishop of the opinion of Marcion.

THe fourteneth daye of the moneth Apellae••s which next ensued that is about the nynetenth of the Calends of Ianuary, certaine godly men, trauellers out of Aegypt, (their iourney was in∣to Cilicia, minding to finde some reliefe at Caesarea for the confessors whiche there abode) were taken of the watch, which sate at the gates of the citie & searched incommers. Of which men, some receaued the self same sentence as they had before, whom they went about to relieue, to were, y^• pulling out of their eies, the maiming of their ly••••••es and left legges. Three of them yelding forth a maruelous constancie at the confession of their faith, ended their liues with diuers kindes of tor∣ments* 3.216 at Ascalon where they were apprehended. One of them whose name was Ares was throwne into a great flaming fire and burned to ashes▪ the other two, whose names were Promus and Elias, had their heads stroken of from their shoulders. The eleuenth day of y^• moneth Audinaeus, y^• is about the thirde Ides of Ianuary, Petrus called also Apselamus, a worshipper or religious man, borne in the village Anea which bordered vpon Eleutheropolis, being very often entreated by the iudge and his asistents, to remember him selfe, to pity his case and to tender his youthly yeares and florishing age: contemned their perswasions, and cast his whole care vpon Almighty God, preferring that be∣fore all other thinges, yea and before his proper life: and at Caesarea, tried by fire his faith in Christ* 3.217 Iesu with a noble and valiant courage, much like vnto most pure golde. together with him on As∣clepius a Bishop (as men sayd) of the heresie of Marcion, with godly zeale (as he thought,) but not with that which is according vnto knowledge, departed this life, in the selfe same burning fire. and thus much of them.

CAP. XXIX.

Of 12. Martyrs that suffred together in one day with Pamphilus, and of the mar∣tyrdome of Adrianus and Eubulus.

TIme now draweth me away to paynt forth vnto the posteritie that noble and glorious thea∣tre of Martyrs which suffred together with Pamphilus, whose name I doe alwayes honour and reuerence. They were twelue in number, and thought worthy not only of y^• Prophetical, or rather the Apostolike gift, but also the number of the Apostles whose captayne and principall* 3.218 was Pamphilus▪ minister of the Churche of Caesarea: a man very famous, for sundry his vertues throughout the whole race of his life: singuler, in despising and contemning this present worlde: bountifull, for liberalitie bestowed vpon the poore: wonderfull, in neglecting the care fixed vpon transitory thinges: excelling, in behauiour and Philosophicall trade of liuing: moreouer passing all the men of our age, for feruent zeale and earnest desire and study of holy Scripture: maruelous constant in all his doings and enterprises, and also very ready to ayde and helpe such as were of his

kinne and familiar acquaintance. other his vertues and well doinges, because it required a longer treatise, we haue lately and that largely published in a seuerall and peculier volume entitled of his life, and deuided into three bookes. Therefore such as are desirous to learne more exactly and more exquisetly to knowe his vertuous life, we referre thither, and presently we minde onely to prosecute such thinges as concerne the Martyrs which suffred persecution together with him. The seconde af∣ter Pamphilus that came forth to wrastle was the reuerent whore headed Valens, Deacon of the city* 3.219 Aelia, a graue father in euery mans eye and greatly skilled in holy Scripture, if then there was any such in the worlde, he was so expert therein, that if he hearde any percell thereof by any man allead∣ged, forthwith was he able by rote to repeate it, as well as if then he read it out of the booke. The thirde was Paulus, a man wonderfull zealous and feruent in the spirite, borne in the citye Iamnia,* 3.220 where he grewe to greate fame, before martyrdome he endured the scorching and searing of his fleshe with hott yrons, and passed through a worthy combatt at the confession of his fayth, the mar∣tyrdome of these was differred by reason of their continewance in prison two whole dayes. In the meane while came the brethren of Aegypt which suffered martyrdome together with them. these Ae∣gyptians when they had accompanied the confessors of Cilicia, vnto the place appoynted for the digging of mettals, returned home againe. in their returne, they were taken of the watch which kept the gates of Caesarea (which were barbarous and rude groomes) and examined who they were, and whence they came. when they could not conceale the trueth, they were layde in holde as if they had bene haynous trespassers, and had committed some horrible crime. In number they were fiue, which* 3.221 were brought before the tyrant, and after their examination, clapt in prison. The thirde daye being the sixtenth of the moneth Peritius after the Romaynes, about the fouretenth of the Calendes of March, these together with Pamphilus and the rest of his companions (mentioned a litle before) by commaundement were brought before the iudg. This iudge first of all trieth with sundry and mani∣fold torments, with new and straung deuises, the inuincible constancy, and valiant minde of the Ae∣gyptians. And with all he demaunded of the chiefe, & principal in this combat, what his name was, then, when as in steede of his proper name, he had named himselfe vnto him, after some Prophet or other (for this was their maner, in steede of the Idolatrous names which their parents had geuen them, to chose them newe names, they called them selues after the name of Elias, Ieremias, Esay, Samuel and Daniel, and expressed not onely in worde but in workes them selues, the very true God of Israel, hidd from the Iewes, according vnto the proper etymologie of their names) Firmi∣lianus, hearing such an appellation of the Martyr weyed not at all the sense and signification of the worde, but secondarily asketh of him what contreyman he was, he satisfying the interrogatorie geueth a fl••t name vnto the former aunswere, that his contrey was Ierusalem, meaning in very deede the selfe same wherof Paul spake: that Ierusalem vvhich is aboue is free, vvhich is the mo∣ther* 3.222 of vs all. agayne in an other place: ye are come vnto the mount Sion, and to the citye of the liuing God, the celestiall Ierusalem, for it was this that the Martyr vnderstoode. Firmilianus be∣ing earthly minded enquireth earnestly and curiously where this city was, in what contrey it lay, and with all tormented him greeuously to the ende he shoulde confesse the trueth▪ this Martyr ha∣uing his handes wrested, and tyed behinde him, his feete with certayne newe and straunge kinde of engines stretched asunder, auoutched constantly that he had told him the trueth. Afterwards when the iudge demaunded of him againe, what he was, and where that city was situated, made answere: that it was a contrey which onely belonged vnto the godly: that none other shoulde be partaker thereof, saue the godly alone: and that it was situate eastward where the sunne in the morning spreddeth abroad the bright beames of his light. In vttering these wordes he entred into so diuine a cogitation within him selfe, that he forgot the tormentors which layd him on, on euery side, and seemed to perceaue no sense or feeling of the payne and punishment, as if he had bene a ghost with∣out fleshe, bloode or bone. The iudge casting doubts with him selfe, and greatly disquieted in minde, thought the Christians would bring to passe, that the city mentioned by the Martyr, should rebell and become enemy vnto the Romaynes: he began to search and diligently to inquire, where that region (by report eastward) should be▪ last of all when he sawe this yong man after bitter and greeuous torments, with immutable constancy to perseuere stedfast in his former saying: he gaue sentence that his head should be striken of from his shoulders▪ such was the mortal race of this mi∣serable life, which this blessed Martyr did runne. The rest of his companions, after the like tor∣ments, ended their liues, with the laying of their heads vpon the blocke. In the ende, Firmilianus, although in maner weryed, and frustrated of his purpose, yet satisfied to the full with these infi∣nite

torments and their terrible execution, turned him selfe vnto Pamphilus, and his companions. And although he had experience sufficient heretofore of their inuincible constancy in the defence of their fayth, yet agayne he demaundeth whether at length they would obey and yelde vnto him. when he was resolued of their definite sentence and last answere, which tended to martyrdome, he* 3.223 gaue sentence they should be tormented and punished alike with the former martyrs. which being done, a yong man, one of the seruants of Pamphilus, so well brought by & instructed, that he might very well seeme worthy the discipline and education of so worthy a man, as soone as he perceaued that sentence was past vpon his maister, crieth out in the middest of the throng and requesteth that his maisters carkasse together with his companions, after the breath were departed their body, might quietly be buried in their graues. The Iudge being affectioned not like vnto man, but to a beast, or if there be any other thing more sauadg, tendered not at all y^• yong mans youthly yeares, but forth w^t demaundeth of him whether he were a christian, who, when that he affirmed plainly that he was: boyled with anger, as if his hart had bene stickt w^t a knife, & charged the tormentors they shoulde laye on him the weyght of their handes and the might of their strength. after that he was inioyned to sacrifice, and had refused: the Iudge commaunded that without all compassion he should be scourged vnto the bare bone, the inner and secret bowells, not as if he were man couered with flesh and compassed in a skinne, but a picture made of stone or wood, or some other senselesse metall. In which kinde of torment continewed a long time, when the iudge perceaued that he vtte∣red no language, neither gaue forth to vnderstand y^• he felt any paine: & sawe that (his body being in maner senselesse, spent with lashes & consumed away) he tormented him in vayne: he continew∣ed still in that his hard and stony hart, voyde of all humanitie, and decreed forthwith that his body should be burned by a litle and a litle with a slowe and slacke fire. This yong man being the last of them which afore the martyrdome of Pamphilus (who was his maister according vnto the fleshe) entred into this dangerous skirmishe, departed this life before him, because that the tormentors which executed the rest seemed to be very slow. Then might a man haue seene Porphyrius (for that was the yong mans name) after triall in euery kinde of exercise, earnestly and wholy bent with a wonderful desire, as the maner is of men, to obtayne the valiant & sacred victory: his body be pou∣dred with dust, yet gracious in face and countenance: hastening to the place of execution for al his affections with vpright and noble courage replenished no doubt with the spirite of God: attyred in the philosophicall habit after his wonted guyse, to wete, wearing a garment after the maner of a cloke which couered only his shoulders: telling his familiars with signes & tokens w^t a modest & mild spirite what his wil was to be done: continewing still yea when he was bounde to the stake, his glorious & gladsome countenance: & moreouer when the fire flashed about with great distance, and waxed extreame hott in compasse of him, ye might haue seene him with his breath on eyther side drawing the flame vnto him: and after these wordes when as the flame first of all toutched his bodye, which with loude voyce he sounded out (Iesus thou sonne of God succor and helpe me) to haue suffred constantly without any murmuring at al, all those maruelous and extreame torments, euen to the last gaspe. such was the affliction of Porphyrius, whose ende Seleucus a confessor and a* 3.224 souldier signified vnto Pamphilus▪ who as the author of such a message deserued, was without de∣lay thought worthy to take the same chaunce together with those Martyrs. for as soone as he had certified him of Porphyrius death, and taken his leaue and farewell of one of the Martyrs, certaine souldiers laye handes vpon him, and bring him before the President. he as if he went about to ha∣sten his iourney and to ioyne him a wayfaring companion with Porphyrius vnto the celestial para∣dise, commaūdeth forthwith that he should be beheaded. This Seleucus was borne in Cappadocia, & preferred to this great honor before all the youth of the Romaine bande and before them which were of great creditt and estimation among the Romaines, he excelled all the rest of the souldiers in youthly fauour, in strength, & goodly stature of body, his countenance was gracious, his speach amiable, he passed for comely making, for bigge setting, for fayre liking, and fit proportion of the whole body▪ he was famous at the beginning of the persecution for his pacient suffring of stripes in the defence of the fayth, and being depriued of the warlike dignitie which he enioyed, became a zelous follower of the worshippers or religious men, he succored and prouided with fatherly care & ouersight for the fatherles, the succorlesse, y^• widowes, and such men as were visited with greate misery & affliction. wherfore God being rather delited w^t such like sacrifices of mercy, and workes of charitye, then with smokye incense and bloody oblations, called him of his goodnes, vnto this glorious and renowmed garland of martyrdome. this was the tenth champion of the number men∣tioned

before, which suffered death in one and the selfe same daye, whereby (as it appeareth) the great and bewtifull gate of the kingdome of heauen, being sett wide open by the meanes of Pam∣philus his martyrdome, made an easie passage both vnto him and the others his companions to the attayning of the perfect pleasure in the celestiall paradise. Theodulus also a graue and a zelous fa∣ther,* 3.225 one of Firmilianus the Presidents familie, and in greater creditt with him, then all the rest of his houshold, partly for his whore heade and greate yeares (for he was a greate graundfather) and partly for the singuler good will and affection borne alwayes towards him: treading the same step∣pes which Seleucus had done before him, and committing the like crime with him, is brought before his maister Firmilianus the President, to pleade for him self: who being incensed with greater rage towards him then the rest of y^• Martyrs, deliuered him in the ende to be crucified, which kind of mar∣tyrdome after the example of our Sauiour he suffered most willingly. yet because there wanted one* 3.226 which might supplye the twelfe rowme among the Martyrs rehearsed before, Iulianus came forth. who comming from farre and as yet not entred into the wrastling place, as soone as he had hearde by the way as he came of their death and happy endes, forthwith he conueyed him straight vnto the noble spectacle and theatre of Martyrs, and as soone as he sawe with his eyes the blessed bo∣dyes of the Sainctes lying all a long vpon the grounde, he was tickled with inward ioye, he em∣braced them seuerally, and saluted them after the best maner. which when he had done the catchpoles and executioners apprehended him, and presented him before Firmilianus, who after he had execu∣ted such thinges as were correspondent vnto his cruell nature, commaunded he shoulde be layde vp∣on a slowe and a slacke fire, and so burned to death. Iulianus triumphed and leapt for ioye, and with a loude voyce gaue great thankes vnto God, who voutch safed him worthy, so greate a glory and re∣warde, and in the ende he was crowned with martyrdome. he was by birth of Cappadocia, in life and conuersation holy, faythfull and very religious, and besides his fame in other things he was in∣spired with the aboundance of the spirite of God. such was the trayne of them which were tormen∣ted, and by the goodnes of God crowned Martyrs in the company of Pamphilus. their holy and happy carkasses were kept aboue grounde by the decree of the wicked President, foure dayes and foure nightes to be deuoured of the beastes of the fielde, and of the foules of the ayre. but when as miraculously neyther beaste, neyther byrde, neyther dogge drewe nighe vnto them, agayne by the grace and goodnes of Almighty God, they were caried away safe and sounde, and committed with solempne buriall after the christian maner, vnto their still graues and resting sepulchres. Further∣more when the tyranny and cruelty practised against vs, was bruted abroad, and rife in euery mans mouth: Adrianus and Eubulus of the contrey Manganaea, taking their iourney towards Caesarea, for to visite the rest of the confessors, were taken at the gates of the city, and examined concerning y^• cause of their voyage into that contrey. afterwards freely confessing the truth they were brought before Firmilianus, he without any more adoe, or farther deliberation, after many torments, and in∣finite stripes, gaue sentence they shoulde be torne in peeces of wilde beastes. within two dayes af∣ter, being the fift day of the moneth Dystros, about the thirde Nones of March, when the citizens* 3.227 of Caesarea celebrated their wakes, vpon the day of reuells, Adrianus was throwen at the feete of a fierce lion, afterwards slayne with the edge of the sworde and so dyed. Eubulus the thirde day after, about noone, in the selfe same Nones of March, being the seuenth day of the moneth Dystros, when the iudge entreated him earnestly to sacrifice vnto the Idols, whereby he might enioye their free∣dome according vnto lawe and order: he preferred the glorious death for godlines sake, before this frayle and transitory life: after he was torne and mangled of wilde beastes he was slayne (as* 3.228 his fellowe before him) with the edge of the sworde, and being the last he sealed with his bloode all the happy conflicts of the blessed Martyrs of Caesarea but it shall seeme worthy the noting▪ if at length we remember, howe, after what sorte, and that not long after the heauy hande of God lighted vpon those wicked Magistrates, together with the tyrants them selues. for Firmilianus* 3.229 who frowardly and contumeliously raged agaynst the Martyrs of Christ, suffering extreame pu∣nishment together with the other his parteners in horrible practises, ended his life with the swords▪ And these were the martyrdomes suffered at Caesarea, during the whole persecution.

CAP. XXX.

The pastors of the Churches for their negligence in executing of their office were punished from aboue. The martyrdome of Peleus, Nilus, Patermythius, the punishment of Siluanus and Iohn. The beheading of Nyne and thirty Martyrs in one day.

WHat in the meane tyme was seene to fall out against the Presidents and pastors of chur∣ches: and after what sort the iust iudgment of God, reuenger of sinne (in steede of shepe∣herds ouer sheepe, and the reasonable flocke of Christ the which they shoulde haue wise∣ly and aduisedly gouerned) made them not onely keepers of Camels, a kinde of beast ••oid of reason, by nature crooked, and ill shapen: but also the Emperours horsekeepers, and this he did for a pu∣nishment due vnto their deserts: moreouer what contumelies, what reproches, what diuersity of tor∣ments they suffred of the Emperours, Presidents, and Magistrats at sundry tymes for the holy or∣naments and treasure of the Churche: what pride and ambicion raygned in many of them: howe rashly and vnlawfully they handled diuerse of the brethren: what schismes were raysed among the confessors them selues: what mischieues certayne sedicious persons of late stirred vp agaynst the members of the Church which were remnants, whilest that dayly with might and mayne (as com∣monly we say) they endeuored to excogitate new deuises one after an other: howe that vnmercifully they destroyed and brought all to nought with the lamentable estate of bitter persecution, and to be short, heaped mischiefe vpon mischiefe: all these aforesayd I minde to passe ouer with silence, suppo∣sing* 3.230 it not to be our part (as I haue sayde in the beginning of this booke) eyther to rehearse or re∣corde them, in as much as I am wholy bent and carefully minded to ouerslipp and conceale the me∣moriall of them. yet if there be any laudable thinges, any thing that may seeme to set forth the word of God, any worthy act, or famous doings florishing in the Churche, I take it to be my speciall and bounden dutie to discourse of these, to write these, often to inculcate these in the pacient eares of the faythfull Christians, and to shutt vp this booke with the noble acts of the renowmed Martyrs, and with the peace whiche afterwardes appeared and shined vnto vs from aboue. When the seuenth yeare of the persecution raysed agaynst vs was nowe almost at an ende, and our affayres beganne by a litle and as it were by stelth to growe vnto some quiet staye, ease, and securitye, and nowe leaned vnto the eyght yeare, in the whiche no▪ small multitude of confessors assembled them sel∣ues together at the myne pitts in Palaestina, who freely occupied them selues in the rites and ceremonyes of Christian religion, so that they transformed their houses into Churches: the Pre∣sident of the prouince, being a cruell and a wicked man (as his mischieuous practises agaynst the Martyrs of Christ doe proue him for no other) made a voyage thyther in all the haste, and hearing of their doinges, their trade of life and conuersation, made the Emperour by his letters priuey thereunto, paynting forth in the same, such thinges as he thought woulde disgrace, discredit and defame the good name of those blessed confessors. Whereupon the maister of the myne pitts and mettalls came thyther, and by vertue of the Emperours commaundement seuereth asunder the multitude of confessors, so that thenceforth, some should continew at Cyprus, some other at Li∣banus, and others also in other places of Palaestina, and commaunded that all shoulde be weryed and vexed with sundry toyles and labour▪ afterwards he picked out foure of the chiefe of them, and sent them vnto the iudge, of the which, two of them, were called Peleus and Nilus, Bishops of Ae∣gypt.* 3.231 the thirde was a minister, the fourth annexed vnto these was Patermythius, a man wonderful∣ly beloued for his singuler zeale towardes all men in Gods behalfe. all whiche the Iudge requested to renounce Christ and his religion, who when they obeyed not, and seeing him selfe frustrated of his purpose, gaue sentence they shoulde be tyed to a stake and burned to ashes. others some againe of the confessors being not fitt, for that labour and seruice, by reason eyther of their heauye olde age, or vnprofitable members, or other infirmities of the bodye, were released and charged to dwell in a seuerall and solitary place. of whiche number Siluanus Bishop of Gaza was the chiefe,* 3.232 who liuely expressed vnto all the worlde, a godly shewe of vertue, and a notable paterne of Chri∣stianitie. this man from the firste daye of the persecution, and in maner vnto the laste, duringe all that space, was famous for the sundry and manifolde conflictes he suffered after infinite examina∣tions, and reserued vnto that very moment, to the ende he being the last, might seale vp with his bloode all the conflictes of the Martyrs slayne in Palaestina. there were released, and par∣takers with him of the same affliction, many Aegyptians, one was Iohn: who also in fame

& renowne excelled all the mē of our time. Who although he was blind before, yet the tormētors* 3.233 were so truel, so fierce, & so rigorous, y^• for his great constācy in professing y^• name of Christ, they maymed with a burning sawe his left legge (as the other confessors were vsed before) and seared the aple of the eye, bereued already of the sight, with an hott scaldinge iron. Let no man maruell at all, at his good conuersation and godly life, though he were blinde, in so much that his maners deserued not such admiration as his gift of memorie, where he had printed whole bookes of holy scripture, not in tables made of stone (as the holy Apostle sayth) neyther in the ••ydes of beástes, parchement, or paper, which moth corrupteth & the time weareth awaye: but in the fleshly tables of the hart, that is, in the prudent memory and sincere vnderstanding of the minde: so that when it seemed good vnto him he was able out of the closett of his minde, as if it were out of a certaine treasury of good learning, to alleadge & repeat y^• Law & the Prophets, sometimes the histories, at other times the Euangelists and workes of the Apostles. I confesse truely that when first I sawe the man stande in the middest of the congregation and assembly: and hearde him recite certaine places of holy Scripture I wondred at him. For as longe as I hearde his voice sounde in mine eares, so long thought I (as the maner is at solemne meetinges) that one read out of a booke: but when that I came neerer vnto him, and sawe the trueth as it was all other stand in compasse with whole, open, and sounde eyes, and him vsinge none other but onely the eye and sight of the minde, and in very deed vtteringe many thinges much like vnto a Prophete, and excelling in ma∣ny thinges many of them which enioyed their senses sounde and perfect, I coulde not chuse but magnifie God therefore, and maruell greatly thereat. ••e thought I sawe liuely tokens, and e∣uident argumentes, that he was a man in deed, not after the outward appearance, or fleshly eye of man, but accordinge vnto the inner sense, and secret vnderstandinge of the minde▪ the which ex∣pressed in this man, though his body were mayned, and out of fashiō, greater power of his inward giftes. God himselfe reachinge vnto these men (mentioned before and continewinge in seuerall places and executinge their wonted trade of life in prayer and fasting with the rest of their godly exercises) the right hand of his mercy and succor; graunted them through martyrdom to attaine vnto an happy and a blessed ende. But the deuell, enemy and sworne aduersary of mankinde colde no longer away with them, for that they were armed and fenced against him with prayers conti∣newally poured vnto God, but went about (as he imagined) to vexe them and to cut them of, from the face of the earth. For God had graunted him that might and power, that neither he in no wise colde be kept backe from his wilfull malice and wickednes: neither these men for their manifolde & sundry cōflicts, should be depriued of their reward & glory. For which cause by the decree of the most wicked emperour Maximinus, there were in one day nine & thirty martyrs beheaded. These* 3.234 were the martyrdoms suffred in Palaestina, during the whole tearme of eight years, and such was the persecution raysed against vs, which first beganne with the ruine and ouerthrowe of the chur∣ches, which also encreased dayly more and more by reason that the emperours at sundry times re¦newed the same whereupon also it fell out that there were manifold and sundry conflicts of valiāt champions wrastling for the trueth in Christ: and an innumerable multitude of martyrs in euery prouince, reaching from Libya, throughout all Aegypt, Syria, & the Eastern countreys, and euery where, euen vnto the cōfines of Illyricum: And the coasts adioyning vnto the aforesayd countreys: as all Italy, Sicilia, Fraunce, and the VVeasterne coūtreis and such as reach vnto Spayne, Mauri∣tania & Aphrike: where they were not persecuted fully two years, but quickely through the mer∣cy and goodnes of God obtained peace and tranquillitie, because that the deuine prouidence of al∣mighty God, for there faith and innocencyes sake, pitied their lamentable estate. For that which from the beginning was not remembred to happen in the Romaine empire, came now in the end to passe amongest vs beyonde all hope & expectation. The empire was deuided into two partes because of the persecutiō raised against vs. And though in some part of the world the brethren en∣ioyed peace, yet in other regions and countreis they suffred infinite conflicts and torments. But when that at length the grace of God shewed vnto vs his louing, his mercifull, his fauorable coū∣tenance, and watchefull care ouer vs, then I say then, the gouernours and magistrates euen they which afore time raysed persecution agaynst vs, remembred themselues somwhat better, altered their mind & song a recantation: quenching the firie flame of persecution flashing among vs with more circumspect decrees & milder constitutions in y^• christians behalfe. Nowe let vs record vnto the posterity the recantation of Maximinus the tyrant.

The ende of the eyght booke.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Cap. 1. in the greeke. Gallus ••••••a∣••••d Empe∣rour Anno Domini. 255. Origē dieth. Dionysius. b. of Alexan∣dria in his epistle to Hermammō.
• * 2.1

  Suydas in the life of Ori∣gen.
• * 2.2

  The choyce was that e∣ther a blacke moore shoulde play the Sodomite with him, or he himselfe shoulde sacri¦fice vnto I∣dols.
• * 2.3

  Psal. 50.
• * 3.1

  The lamen∣tation of O∣rigen.
• * 3.2

  He calleth vpon the saynctes in the same sense as he doth in this sorowe∣full plight vpon all o∣ther creature vnder heauē.
• * 3.3

  The pollicie of Satan was to haue Ori∣gen to con∣firme the christians at the time of sacrifice not to the ende they might be sa∣ued (as his pretēse was) but that O∣rigen might be takē with the manner and present∣ly constray∣ned ether to sacrifice or deny his mai¦ster which fel out in the ende. It seemeth by this, that some promi∣sed Origen they vvoulde be baptized but when it came to the pinch they made him to sacrifice.
• * 3.4

  Origen be∣wayleth his excommuni∣cation.
• * 3.5

  Origen gel∣ded himselfe to embrace virginitie therefore iustely maye he be termed an aduancer: in the ende he did sacri∣fice and com¦mitted whor dome with the deuell then was he defiled.
• * 3.6

  Psal. 102.
• * 3.7

  Psal. 50.
• * 3.8

  Psal. 51.
• * 3.9

  Math. 26.
• * 3.10

  Psal. 50.
• * 3.11

  Luc. 16.
• * 3.12

  Psal. 80.
• * 3.13

  Luc. 15.
• * 3.14

  Psal. 30.
• * 3.15

  Lucius. b. of Rome. Stephan. b. of Rome.
• * 3.16

  The error of Cyprian.
• * 3.17

  Cap. 5. in the Greeke. Dionysius. b. of Alexādria vnto Stephā b. of Rome.
• * 3.18

  Xystus. b. of Rome.
• * 3.19

  Dionysius. b. of Alexādria vnto Xystus b. of Rome.
• * 3.20

  Cap. 6. in the Greeke.
• * 3.21

  Dionysius. b. of Alexādria vnto Xystus b. of Rome.
• * 3.22

  Cap. 7. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Greeke.
• * 3.23

  Dionysius. of Alexādri epist. 3. of baptisme vn∣to Philemo•• a minister 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Rome.
• * 3.24

  1. Pet. 4. Heraclas b. of Alexādria called a pope ergo it was not the pe∣culier title of the bishop of Rome.
• * 3.25

  The canon of Heraclas.
• * 3.26

  Deut. 19. Prouerb. 22.
• * 3.27

  Cap. 8. in the Greeke. Dionysius. b. of Alexādria vnto Diony∣si{us} a minister of Rome, but afterwards. b. epist. 4. of Baptisme.
• * 3.28

  Cap. 9. in the Greeke.
• * 3.29

  Dionysius. b. of Alexādria epist. 5. vnto Xystus. b. of Rome.
• * 3.30

  Cap. 10. in the Greeke.
• * 3.31

  Valerianus created Em∣perour toge∣ther with Ga¦lienus his sonne. Anno Dom. 256. Vnder him was raysed the eyghth persecution agaynst the churche of God.
• * 3.32

  Dionysi{us} b. of Alexādria. vnto Her∣mammon. Apo••. 13. Satan.
• * 3.33

  Macrinus si∣gnifieth one standinge a farre of. Esay. 66.
• * 3.34

  Exod. 20.
• * 3.35

  Cap. 11. in the Greeke. Tob. 12. Dionysius b. of Alexan∣dria agaynst Germanus, epist. ad Her∣mamon.
• * 3.36

  Act. 5.
• * 3.37

  Dionysius with his com¦pany is bani∣shed into a certayne de∣serte called Cephro.
• * 3.38

  What Diony¦sius suffered for the fayth.
• * 3.39

  Dionysius b. of Alexādria vnto Domi∣tius & Didy∣mus.
• * 3.40

  Esay. 49. 2. Corinth. 6.
• * 3.41

  Of Eusebius b. of Laodi∣cea. ••eade the last cap. of this 7. booke Maximus. Faustus.
• * 3.42

  Cap. 12. a••t•• the greeke.
• * 3.43

  Priscus, Malchus & Alexander tome in pee¦ces of wilde beastes. A woman torne in pee∣ces of wilde beastes. Cap. 13. in the Greeke.
• * 3.44

  A•••••• Dom•• 262.
• * 3.45

  Galienus the Emperour in the behalfe of the Chri∣stians.
• * 3.46

  Cap. 14▪ in the Greeke.
• * 3.47

  Xystus. Demetrianus Firmilianus. Gregorius Nazianzen{us}▪ Athenodor{us}. Domnus. Theo••ecnu••. Hymenaeus. Cap. 15. in the greeke
• * 3.48

  Marinus was beheaded.
• * 3.49

  A notable perswasion vnto martyr∣dome.
• * 3.50

  Cap. 16. after the greeke.
• * 3.51

  Astyrius a se¦nator of Rōe & a fauorer of the Chri∣stians.
• * 3.52

  Cap. 17. after the Greeke.
• * 3.53

  The deuill is put to flight by fasting & prayer.
• * 3.54

  Cap. 18. in the Greeke.
• * 3.55

  Luk. 8. Matth. 9.
• * 3.56

  Monuments of memory & not for su∣perstition.
• * 3.57

  To erect an image is a heathenish custome.
• * 3.58

  Cap. 19. after the Greeke.
• * 3.59

  The seae of Ierusalem long preser∣ued and con∣tinewed.
• * 3.60

  Cap. 20. in the Greeke.
• * 3.61

  Cap. 21. in. the Greeke.
• * 3.62

  Dionysius b. of Alexan∣dria vnto Hi¦erax b. of Aegypt.
• * 3.63

  Cap. 22. in the Greeke.
• * 3.64

  Dionysius b. of Alexan∣dria epist. vn∣to the bre∣thren in Ae¦gypt.
• * 3.65

  Exod. 12.
• * 3.66

  Plague. Warres. Famine.
• * 3.67

  Misery ma∣keth the wic∣ked to des∣payre, but tryeth the godly as the gold in the fornace. The Christi∣ans in the plague time loued not on¦ly their bre∣thren, but al∣so their ene∣mies.
• * 3.68

  The heathe∣nish inhuma∣nitie.
• * 3.69

  Cap. 23. in the greeke Dionysius Alex. vnto Hermammō. Galien{us} was Emperour to¦gether with his father Va¦lerianus, but after his fa∣ther was takē captiue of the Persians, he ruled alone.
• * 3.70

  Esay 43. Apocal. 21.
• * 3.71

  Anno Do∣mini 266.
• * 3.72

  Nepos a Chi liast. Chiliastae of the Grecians & millenarij of the latines were so cal∣led because that like here tikes they dreamed that Christ should personally raygne as kīg here onearth a thousande yeares.
• * 3.73

  Cap. 24. in the greeke Dionysius b. of Alexādria lib. 2. of the promises of God.
• * 3.74

  Here busye bodies & stī∣ging waspes may learne a lessō which reprehende euery thinge & like of no∣thing.
• * 3.75

  Where the error of the Chiliasts first sprang. Dionysius di¦sputed with the Chiliasts.
• * 3.76

  Coraciō the Chiliast was consuted and cōuerted by Dionysius.
• * 3.77

  Cap. 25. after the greeke.
• * 3.78

  Dionysius. b. of Alexan∣dria in his. 2. booke of the promises of God. Some of olde thought the reuelation to haue bene written by Cerinthus. The heresy of Cerinthus. The reuerēt iudgement of Dionysius toutchinge the reuelatiō of Sainct Iohn.
• * 3.79

  Apocalip. 22.
• * 3.80

  Apocalip. 1.
• * 3.81

  1. Iohn. 1.
• * 3.82

  Math. 16.
• * 3.83

  Apocalip. 1.
• * 3.84

  Apocalip. 22
• * 3.85

  Act. 13.
• * 3.86

  The diffe∣rence gathe∣red first by the sense.
• * 3.87

  2. By the words often repeated in both.
• * 3.88

  3. No mētiō in ether of eache other.
• * 3.89

  4. By the ••rase.
• * 3.90

  Iohn was both learned and eloquēt.
• * 3.91

  Cap. 26. after the greeke.
• * 3.92

  Cap. 27. after the greeke.
• * 3.93

  Dionysius b. of Rome. Paulus Sa∣mosatenus. b. of Antioch and an here∣ticke.
• * 3.94

  Cap. 28. after the Greeke.
• * 3.95

  Firmilianus. Greg. Na∣zianz. Athenodo∣rus. Elenus. Nicomas. Hymenaeus. Theotecnus. Maximus. Dionysius. b▪ of Alex. dieth Anno Do∣mini. 267.
• * 3.96

  Cap. 29. in the greeke.
• * 3.97

  Claudius was created em∣perour anno Dom. 271. Autelianus was crowned emperour Anno Dom. 273. vnder whome was raised the ninth perse∣cution.
• * 3.98

  Cap. 30. after the greeke.
• * 3.99

  The byshops assembled at Antioch vn∣to Dionysius b. of Rome, and maximus b. of Alexandria.
• * 3.100

  The subtle••y of the here∣ticke.
• * 3.101

  Samosetenus the hereticke is here pain∣ted in his co∣lours.
• * 3.102

  1. Timoth. 6.
• * 3.103

  Such a proud preacher was Herod in the actes. 12.
• * 3.104

  Paul{us} Samo¦satenus was excommuni∣cated by the councell and Domuns pla¦ced in his rowme.
• * 3.105

  Aurelianus was not able to subscribe to an edict a∣gainst the Christians. Tacitus was emperour 6. moneths, & Florianus 80▪ daies althogh there is here no mention made of thē.
• * 3.106

  Probus was crowned em∣perour Ann. Dom. 279. Carus began to raigne an. Dom. 285. Diocletian was chosen emperour ann. Do. 287. vnder whom the tenth persecution of the primi∣tiue church•• was raysed against the churche of God. Cap. 31. in the Greeke.
• * 3.107

  About the yeare 281. (Euseb. in chronic.) the hereticke Maneslyued. Manes the hereticke chose 12. A∣postles.
• * 3.108

  Cap. 32. in the Greeke.
• * 3.109

  Eutychianus b. of Rome. Gaius. b. of Rome. Marcellinus b. of Rome. Timaeus. Cyrillus. Dorotheus, minister of Antioch, af∣terwards. b. of Tyrus. Tyrannus. Socrates. Eusebius.
• * 3.110

  Anatolius b. of Laodicea.
• * 3.111

  The pollicie deuised by Anatolius.
• * 3.112

  Anatolius. b. of Laodicea in his bookes of Easter.
• * 3.113

  Betwene the 10. & 20. day
• * 3.114

  In springe a∣bout the eyght ka∣lends of A∣prill: In Au∣tumne about the eyght kalendes of October.
• * 3.115

  La••••eus. 2.
• * 3.116

  Psalm. 89.
• * 3.117

  Churches o∣uerthrowen. Scriptures burned. Bishops per∣secuted. Psal. 107.
• * 3.118

  An. Do. 306. the persecu∣tion vnder Diocletian waxed hotte, whē as these cruell edicts were euery where pro∣claimed.
• * 3.119

  Cap. 3. in the Greeke.
• * 3.120

  The pollicie of Satans messengers.
• * 3.121

  Cap. 4. in the Greeke.
• * 3.122

  Diocletiā & Maximian.
• * 3.123

  Galerius & Constantius.
• * 3.124

  Peter the em¦perours page after sundry tormēts brui∣led to death. Dorotheus hanged. Gorgonius was hanged. Anthim{us}. b. of Nicome∣dia beheaded A certaine number be∣headed. A certaine companie burned. A number drowned. The deade dygged vp.
• * 3.125

  All prisons were filled with Christi∣ans.
• * 3.126

  Brute beastes spared such as mē would not spare.
• * 3.127

  The constan¦cy of yong men.
• * 3.128

  Fiue Martyrs after sundry torments beheaded & throwen into the seas.
• * 3.129

  Martyrs in Aegypt may∣med, racked, scurged, bur∣ned, drow∣ned, behea∣ded, hanged, & famished to death.
• * 3.130

  Martyrs in Thebais their skinnes rased & schor¦ched, tyed by the on legge & their heads downeward. Hanged vpō boughes.
• * 3.131

  10. Martyrs. 20. 30. 60. 100. Some bur∣ned. Some behea¦ded.
• * 3.132

  Philoromus gouernour of Alexādria beheaded▪ Phileas b. of Thmuis, be∣headed.
• * 3.133

  Phileas b. of Thmuis wri∣teth this epi∣stle out of pri¦son vnto his ••locke.
• * 3.134

  Philip. 2.
• * 3.135

  1. Ioh. 4.
• * 3.136

  Deut. 4. Exod. 20.
• * 3.137

  An whole ci¦ty burned.
• * 3.138

  Audactus martyred.
• * 3.139

  Martyrs in Arabia. Cappadocia.
• * 3.140

  Mesopota∣mia. Alexandria. Antioche.
• * 3.141

  Some dispat¦ched them selues rather A matron of Antioch to∣gether with her 2. daugh¦ters drow∣ned thē selfs rather then their bodies shoulde be a∣bused of the tormentors.
• * 3.142

  The Eth∣nicks drow∣ned 2. virgins of Antioch. Martyrs in Pontus.
• * 3.143

  The Eth∣nicks pulled out the right eyes, seared the empty place, sawed of the left legge of the Christians, seared their hames, con∣demned thē to the myne pitts: all this they counted a gracious pardon.
• * 3.144

  Anthymus ••. of Nicome ••ia behea∣••ed.
• * 3.145

  Lucianus a martyr. Tyrannion b. of Tyrus was drowned at Antioch. Zenobius of Sidon scourged to death. Siluanus. b. of Emisa torne of wild beastes. Siluanus. b. of Gaza be∣headed. 39 Beheaded Peleus and Nilus. b. of Aegypt bur∣ned. Pamphilus▪ Peter. b. of Alexandria.
• * 3.146

  As longe as the Empe∣rours did not persecute the church, so longe did theyr empire prosper.
• * 3.147

  Anno Do∣mini▪ 307. (Euseb. Chro¦nic.) Diocle∣tian together with Maxi∣mian hauing raygned 20. yeares, depo∣sed themsel∣ues and liue •• a priuate life Constantiu•• and Maximi∣nus rule the Empire. Constantiu•• dieth at yo•••• in England•• Anno Do∣mini. 310. Constátinu•• magnus wa•• proclaime•• emperour Anno Do∣mini. 311.
• * 3.148

  Cap. 14. after the greeke.
• * 3.149

  Maxentius the sonne of Maximinus a tyrante of Rome. Flattery. Cruelty. Lecherie.
• * 3.150

  Tyrranny.
• * 3.151

  Extorcion.
• * 3.152

  Sorcery. Inchaunte∣ment.
• * 3.153

  Famine cau∣led by Ma∣xentius.
• * 3.154

  Cap. 15. in. ••••e Greeke.
• * 3.155

  Maximinus ••pocrisie
• * 3.156

  Superstition.
• * 3.157

  Persecution.
• * 3.158

  •…•…latrie.
• * 3.159

  •…•…haunte∣•…•…t.
• * 3.160

  Oppression.
• * 3.161

  Prodigality.
• * 3.162

  D••sikenesse.
• * 3.163

  Surfetinge.
• * 3.164

  Lechery. The tyrant colde not o∣uercome the Christians.
• * 3.165

  A chast ma∣tron of Ale∣xandria con∣founded the tyrant where fore she was exiled and her goods confiscated.
• * 3.166

  A matron of Rome slewe her selfe ra∣ther then Ma∣xētius should abuse her.
• * 3.167

  The cause of the worldes calamities was the per∣secution of the christi••s▪
• * 3.168

  Cap. 16. in the Greeke.
• * 3.169

  Anno Do∣mini. 320.
• * 3.170

  Math. 18. Luk. 17. God plagued Maximinus the tyrante ••••eng at Tar∣sus, so that he was in a lamē table plight.
• * 3.171

  Cap. 17. after the Greeke.
• * 3.172

  The Edict of Maximinus in the behalf of the Chri∣stians▪ the which his sickenesse cō strayned him to proclaime •• In steede of Constantin{us} ••ome doread Constantius which I finde ••ot in the greeke.
• * 3.173

  1.
• * 3.174

  2.
• * 3.175

  3.
• * 3.176

  4.
• * 3.177

  5.
• * 3.178

  6.
• * 3.179

  7.
• * 3.180

  Maximinus his practises
• * 3.181

  Cap. 14. Diocletian the Empe∣rour pined & wasted away with diseases vnto his end. Maximinian ••he empe∣rour hanged himselfe. Maximinus ••ormented ••o death. read ••ap. 17. Constantius ••yed godly.
• * 3.182

  Constātinus.
• * 3.183

  Anno Do∣mini. 306.
• * 3.184

  Procopius beheaded.
• * 3.185

  Alphaeus be∣headed. Zachaeus be∣headed. Romanus first had his tongue pul∣led out, next tormented & clapt▪ in pri∣son, last of all in prison sti∣fled to death
• * 3.186

  Timotheus burned.
• * 3.187

  Agapius and Thecla, thro wen to wilde beastes but not dispat∣ched.
• * 3.188

  Six yong mē first impriso∣ned then be∣headed. Timolaus beheaded. Dionysius beheaded. Romulus beheaded. Pausis be∣headed. 2. Alexāders both behea∣ded.
• * 3.189

  Agapius be∣headed. Dionysius beheaded.
• * 3.190

  Apphianus.
• * 3.191

  Pagas of Ly∣cia.
• * 3.192

  The cruell edict of Ma∣ximinus.
• * 3.193

  The godly and bolde enterprise of Apphianus.
• * 3.194

  Apphianus after often imprisoning, after sundry horrible tor∣ments was throwen into the sea whose carcasse the water threwe vp and layde at the gates of Caesarea.
• * 3.195

  A cruell tor∣ment.
• * 3.196

  An Earth∣quake.
• * 3.197

  Vlpianus wrapped in an oxe hyde together with a dogge & a snake is drowned in the sea.
• * 3.198

  Aedesius the brother of Apphianus the martyr is drowned in the sea.
• * 3.199

  Mat. 10.
• * 3.200

  Mat. 27. In the 21. cap of this boke Agapius is sayd to haue bene behea∣ded at Caesa∣rea, & here he is sayde to haue bene drowned, so it might be, first beheded thē drowned but there he sayth it was the 2. yere of the persecu∣tion, & here the 4. which can not be. wherefore he must either be an other Agapius, or ••lie the story lyeth.
• * 3.201

  Theodosia drowned.
• * 3.202

  Siluanus cō∣dēned to the myne pitts with others 39. cap. 13. Domninus burned.
• * 3.203

  3. Martyrs en¦ioyned to kill one an other. Auxentius ••orne of wild beasts. The gelding of christians.
• * 3.204

  Pāphilus had his sides mā∣••led with ••••arpe rasors
• * 3.205

  Vrbanus for his crueltie fel into great shame & mi∣sery, in the ende he was put to death.
• * 3.206

  A hundreth Martyrs tor∣mented and sent to dig∣ging of met∣talls.
• * 3.207

  2. womē bur∣ned. Valentina.
• * 3.208

  The prayer of Paulus be fore his mar tyrdome.
• * 3.209

  Paulus pray∣ed for his persecutors.
• * 3.210

  Paulus be∣headed.
• * 3.211

  130. Confes∣sors.
• * 3.212

  The edict of Maximinus against the Christians.
• * 3.213

  Antonius be headed. Zebinas be∣headed. Germanus beheaded.
• * 3.214

  Maxis a wic∣ked tribune. Ennathas a virgine bur∣ned quicke.
• * 3.215

  A miracle.
• * 3.216

  Ares burned Promus be∣headed. Elias behea∣ded.
• * 3.217

  Petr{us} Apsela mus, burned. Asclepius a Marcionite burned.
• * 3.218

  Pamphilus.
• * 3.219

  Valens.
• * 3.220

  Paulus.
• * 3.221

  5. Martyrs be headed.
• * 3.222

  Gal••••. 4 Heb. 12.
• * 3.223

  Porphyrius the seruant of Pamphi∣lus after tor∣ment was burned to death.
• * 3.224

  Seleucus be∣headed.
• * 3.225

  Theodulus crucified.
• * 3.226

  Iulianus bur¦ned.
• * 3.227

  Adrianus be headed.
• * 3.228

  Eubulus be∣headed.
• * 3.229

  Firmilianus the wicked tyrant was beheaded.
• * 3.230

  Cap. 2.
• * 3.231

  Pele{us} burned Nil{us} burned. A minister burned. Patermythi∣us burned.
• * 3.232

  Siluanus.
• * 3.233

  Iohn a blind man of a sin∣guler memo∣ry and rare gifts.
• * 3.234

  39 Martyrs beheaded.