The consent of time disciphering the errors of the Grecians in their Olympiads, the vncertaine computation of the Romanes in their penteterydes and building of Rome, of the Persians in their accompt of Cyrus, and of the vanities of the Gentiles in fables of antiquities, disagreeing with the Hebrewes, and with the sacred histories in consent of time. VVherein is also set downe the beginning, continuance, succession, and ouerthrowes of kings, kingdomes, states, and gouernments. By Lodovvik Lloid Esquire.

OF THE TRIAL OF THE Martyrs of God in the Primitiue Church from the first persecution vnder Tiberius the 3. Emperour, in the which Stephen was stoned, Iames beheaded, Philip han∣ged, with infinite more tormented and persecuted, vntill the 3. persecution, which began vnder Domi∣tian the 12. Emperour of Rome.

THe pollicie of Satan from the beginning of mankind was such, that he inuented many wayes to hinder the Church of God a∣mong * 1.1 the old Patriarkes, and the members of gods Church: then before the Law was giuen in the mount to Moses, and after the law was giuen, with all kinde of su∣perstitious idolatrie of Idols and Images, vntil our Sauiour Christs time: then Satan stirred with much more policie then be∣fore, with persecution and heresies, to animate his souldiers against the Gospel in euery kingdome and countrey.

For when our Sauiour Christ was ascended vp to God his Father, leauing his Church to endure such persecution, and afflictions for the exercise of the faithfull, as might in despite of Satan & his angels (as he b•…•…fore had tolde to his disciples) triumph by the blood of Christ Iesus, and after be confirmed by the blood of so many millions of martyrs, as were by God

appointed to be witnesses of his Church, hee was no sooner ascended vnto heauen, but his Church was persecuted on earth, which was the first persecution by the Iewes vnder Ti∣berius * 1.2 Nero the thirde Emperour of Rome: though the empe∣rour was instructed by Pilatus the Romane President, which continued then at Hierusalem 10. yeeres, that Tiberius read the letters of the Senators, opening the miracles of Christ Iesus in the Senate, the order and maner of his death, and of his resurrection, in somuch that the emperour would haue the Senators to put him in the nomber, and to record him as one of the gods: for it was a decree among the Romans, that none should be recorded one of the gods, without the Sena∣tors * 1.3 consent. As Eusebius reciteth the wordes of Tertulian in this sort: Nullum deum à rege consecrandum, priusquam à Sena∣tu probaretur.

But when the whole world was fully instructed by the A∣postles of Christ, who were dispersed and persecuted euery where, so that in omnem terram exiuit sonus eorum, their words, their liues, and their doctrine went into al parts of the world: The spirite of God stirred many zealous, faithfull, and godly men, to receiue the doctrine of Christ our Sauiour, and re∣ueiled to the Gentiles that which the Iewes would not receiue, * 1.4 and therefore euen from the blood of Abel the iust, vntil Za∣charias the priest which was slaine, &c. God will call them to accompt.

Now after that Pilate had slaine himselfe, euen with those hands which he washed in Ierusalem like an hypocrite, as gilt∣lesse of the death of Christ Iesus, after he had giuen sentence of death on him: and also after that Herode died, being ba∣nished, full of calamities and miseries, eaten of vermines as a iust reuenge of impietie and tyrannie: about which time Ti∣berius the emperour died also, during which time in Hierusa∣lem persecution was yet hot & vehement: and euen then they allowed to Simon Magus the sorcerer (after he came from Sa∣maria to Rome) all honour and reuerence, and his Image to be put vp in Rome with this title, Simoni deo magno, and refu∣sed

Christ, though Tiberius the Emperour first sought it by all meanes. And againe Philo a learned Iewe sent from A∣lexandria to Claudius the next Emperour that succeeded Ti∣berius, * 1.5 who willed and counselled the Senators in many good and godly thinges concerning the Iewes: fo•…•… whose cause hee came from Alexandria to Rome. Caius Caligula be∣ganne to raigne Emperour of Rome, vnder whome the Iewes were miserablie afflicted, and most cruelly persecuted.

In that time grew betweene the Greekes and the Iewes sedi∣tion * 1.6 at Alexandria: for the which cause both the Iewes and the Greekes sent to Rome to Caligula ambassadours, for the redresse hereof. Philo a learned Iew, who had bene at Rome before in * 1.7 the fifteenth yeere of the raigne of Tiberius, was nowe againe sent in the seconde yeere of Caligulas raigne, in the behalfe of the Iewes, and Appian in the behalfe of the Greekes. An other tumult beganne in Ierusalem: (Petronius being then President * 1.8 at Ierusalem) for that Caligula had commaunded his Image to be put vp in the temple at Hierusalem, and to be had in reue∣rence as much as the Image of Iupiter. This could not be suf∣fered, and therefore Caesars Image was taken away for this cause, and others which Caligula supposed against the Iewes, for that he hated them extreemely.

Great slaughter was in Ierusalē. Agrippa being cast into close prison by Tiberius, is now not onely released and set at liber∣tie, * 1.9 but also made king of Lysania, and chiefe in the Tetrarchie in the place of Herode before him, but both Herod and Agrippa were exalted into these great honours, as scourges and tor∣tures to the Christians, whom they persecuted to the death: for now the Apostles were dispersed preaching the Name of * 1.10 Iesus in all countreys, Iohn in Asia, Andrew in Scythia, Thomas in Parthia, Peter in Gallatia, Bythinia, Pontus and Cappadocia. Paul also after his conuersion doubted no danger, feared no death, but boldly and constantly preached: In omnem terram exiuit sonus eorum, that many godly men were stirred by their preaching to followe Christ: first at Caesarea, and then at An∣tioch, for there were first Christians conuerted.

Many wonders were done by the Apostles through the name of Iesus: the more that tyrants persecuted them, the more increased the doctrine of the Church: the more they were * 1.11 slaine by the sworde, the more they increased in nomber by the word: for at the stoning of Stephen the first Martyr, many dispersed themselues into sundrie places. At the beheading of Iames the brother of Iohn, at the hanging of Philip the Apo∣stle at Hieropolis, at the martyring of Iames sirnamed the Iust, * 1.12 called also the brother of Christ in Iudea: these with infinite more Martyrs in the first persecution made the whole worlde amazed at their constancie and faith, though the deuil stirred his apostles, and sent them abroade likewise as aduersaries to the Church of God.

Simon Magus the Samaritane sorcerer flourished at Rome vn∣der Claudius the Emperour, hauing all diuine honours attri∣buted * 1.13 vnto him, with his Image set vp, and his Epigram, Simo∣ni deo sancto, hauing before seduced many in Samaria and in other places from the trueth. This Simon Magus the first cau∣ser of heresie, after whom succeeded a monster likewise of Sa∣maria, * 1.14 professing himselfe to be the Messias, whom the Iewes looked for, saying that he came from heauen to earth to saue mankinde, with such other blasphemies, as Eusebius setteth forth at large. Of these and of others I shall speake when I en∣treate * 1.15 of heretiques, among whom Simon was the first foun∣taine and chiefe head of heresie: so that Satan did set for∣ward his church with al care and trauaile, obiecting himselfe with his disciples against our Sauiour in all doctrine, as long as it pleased God to licence him.

This time Tiberius Claudius raigned the first Emperour in Rome, and in like order as his predecessor Caligula persecuted the Church. Vnder this Emperour great famine happened * 1.16 in all parts of the world: at what time Paul and Barnabas relie∣ued the brethren at Ierusalem, and in other places persecution grew more and more euen then, in somuch that Paul and Pe∣ter were pursued from place to place, vntill they came to bee * 1.17 martyred at Rome: the one beheaded, and the other hanged:

yet had they established the Church before their death. Mar∣cus the Euangelist and the disciple of Peter preached Christ in Egypt, and taught in Alexandria, so that many were conuerted and beleeued. Hee was the first bishop of Alexandria, and * 1.18 taught in the regions about, vntill Pentapolis, and after was lead with a halter about his necke, and burned by Idolaters, vnder Traiane the Emperour.

Matthewe being before one of the 70. disciples, and after ioyned by drawing of lots into the nomber of the twelue A∣postles in the place of Iudas the traitor, taught and preached to the sauage people in Aethiopia about the riuer Phasis, where * 1.19 hee left his bones in testimonie of the Gospel in the citie of Sebastopolis by the temple of the Sunne. Euen so Luke borne in Antioch, a Phisition by profession, a follower of Paul, by whose admonition hee wrote the Actes of the Apostles, prea∣ching and teaching the Gospel euery where, died at Ephesus. So that in those dayes the Apostles and the other disciples, which then followed the Apostles, were so persecuted by ty∣rants that mightily trauailed among the people of God to re∣duce them from the Church: as Aegyptus a false prophet, * 1.20 who by subtiltie and craft of the deuill, seduced thirtie thou∣sande Iewes, and brought them from the wildernesse where hee taught them, into mount Oliuet, thinking thereby to laye siege and to take the citie by the sworde: but hee was preuented by Felix the Romane. Of this Aegyptus Paul was * 1.21 cried out vpon, when the sedition was in Hierusalem. Reade the one and twentieth of the Actes, when Paul was brought * 1.22 before Felix.

And now in the time of Domitius Nero, vnder whome the second persecution beganne, they were more wearie of their * 1.23 slaughter of Christians, and of their tyrannie towardes the Church, then able to wearie those whome God raised as de∣fenders and gouernours of his people: for while this cruel Emperor Nero raigned, Felix ruled in Iudea: at what time be∣ganne * 1.24 (betweene the bishops and the hie Priestes, against the people, and against the chiefe Citizens of Hierusalem,)

a newe sedition, in the which many of the Iewes perished: a∣mongst whome Ionathas was slaine. The like happened (as * 1.25 you heard) in the time of Claudius about the feast of Easter, that thirtie thousand Iewes were slaine.

This Nero armed against God, and settled to some in Chri∣stian blood, first charging Felix to kill, to murther, and to per∣secute all sort of people, but specially the Iewes: After he sent Festus to succeede Felix: and after Felix, Albinus (a cruel man by whom much blood was lost) was sent from Rome to Ieru∣salem, all persecuters and tormenters of the faithfull, in so∣much that the congregation of the faithfull at that time in Ie∣rusalem, were warned to remooue to Pella a village beyonde * 1.26 Iorden, to auoyde the furie and hot persecution of that time: for this cruel Nero was not onely contented to be a tyrant farre from Rome, but also in the citie of Rome: he would see the people of God so martyred before his face, some with the sword, some with fire, and some otherwayes, that he was most meerie when he saw much blood, and yet was not satisfied vn∣til he saw Rome on fire it selfe: he is named amongst some wri∣ters 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: for while this Emperour raigned in Rome, Peter and Paul were martyred. But his tragicall actions had their iust reward, euen in Rome where hee was Emperour, after that he had raigned almost 14. yeeres.

The contempt of Christ Iesus grew such in Iudea, though the Prophets before he was borne, preached vnto them the dan∣ger * 1.27 of their incredulitie, and the Apostles after he was borne taught them, and shewed the workes of Christ, and Christ him selfe while yet hee liued among them, wrought miracles and wonders: yet the Iewes in contempt of this, waxed more stub∣burne and more insolent. The slaughter was such in Iudea, that the Saduces began to tickle the people againe with their inuentions: that hearing of Festus death, Ananias the hie priest * 1.28 (before Albinus was come from Alexandria that succeeded Festus, the Romane President) persecuted many of the Saints in Hierusalem, and did put to the sworde euery one that hee suspected to holde the doctrine of the Apostles. So that by

many tumults and seditions of the Scribes and the Pharisees, the tyrannie and crueltie of the hie priestes, and the people, who euer kindled the Romanes to furie, all Iudea was full of blood vntil the last destruction of them and of their countrey, of the * 1.29 which they were often warned, both by the Prophets and by Christ himselfe: but Titus the Emperour was appointed to be their scourge, to destroy their proud citie, to burne their ido∣latrous temple, and to ende their tyrannie which they vsed against God and his Church.

During which confusion and ruine of Ierusalem, the con∣gregation * 1.30 then remoued by diuine warning to Pella a towne beyōd Iordan: for at that time (saith Iosephus) were in Ierusalem 30. Miriads of people, euery Miriad being 10. hundreth thou∣sand. * 1.31 The history is knowen, and therefore I referre you to Io∣sephus of the Iewes, & Eusebius his Ecclesiasticall historie, at what * 1.32 time Achaia, Lycia, Rhodes, Bizantium, Samos, Thracia, and Sicilia, were made Prouinces vnder the Romanes.

CHAP. II.

From the third persecution vnder Domitian the 12. Emperor, vnto the 6. persecutiō vnder Sept. Seuerus 22. Emperor: of the cōstancie of the faithful Martyrs euerywhere in the Church of God: of their godly liues, their deaths, and their glorious victorie ouer Satan.

FLauius Domitianus, Titus his brother, vnder whom another persecution began ouer allthe * 1.33 stocke of Dauid, left none of al them that were of kinne vnto Dauid in flesh. This shewed him∣selfe another Nero, farre vnlike vnto his father Vespasian, or to his brother Titus: and therefore named for his tyrannie 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. This time had raigned in Rome since the Apo∣stles times, these 3. bishops: Linus which was the first, Anacle∣tus, which was the second, and Clemens which was the thirde. Likewise in Antioch andin Alexandria,

1. Anianus.	In Alex∣andria.	1. Euodius.	In An∣tiochia.	Simon
2. Albilius.	2. Ignatius.	and Iustus,
3. Cerdo.	3. Heros.

bishops of Ierusalem were persecuted vnder Domitianus.

Nowe after this persecution vnder Flaminius Domitianus, who banished from Rome all the Philosophers and the Ma∣thematicians, who played the wolfe with the flocke of Christ, vnder whom Simeon the second •…•…shop of Ierusalem was most * 1.34 cruelly tormented and martyred, & al the remnant that were aliue of the stocke of Dauid, and all the Iewes which were any way in flesh kinne vnto our Sauiour Christ: After this fol∣lowed the 4. persecutiō vnder Traiane, which was so hot & so * 1.35 terrible, that it past & far exceeded the 3. other persecutions before vnder Caligula, Nero, and Domitianus. It was such, that it mooued Plinius secundus to write vnto Traiane the Emperour * 1.36 in the behalfe of the Christians, to mitigate the furie and rage of persecution that raigned euery where in Syria, Iudea, Alex∣andria, Antioch, and all other places, considering they did no∣thing * 1.37 but rise in the morning and meete together to sing Hymnes, and Psalmes to praise God: for Plini was amazed and quite astonied to see the multitude and nomber of Christi∣ans dayly encreasing, notwithstanding all the persecutions and slaughter that was most extreemely vsed against them from time to time.

This caused Traiane the Emperor somewhat more milde∣ly to handle them, commaunding that the Christians should not be sought for to be persecuted, but yet being founde to punish them: for at this time flourished many godly and learned pillars of the Church, as Ignatius bishop of Antioche, * 1.38 Polycarpus bishop of Smirna, Papias bishop of Hieropolitū, who suffered diuers kindes of torments, and were martyred, some deuoured of beastes, some with the sworde, some with fire, some with hanging, and many with many new inuented tor∣ments. For at that time liued many of perillous nature, that sought to please euil men, and to punish good men.

The Iewes, as men full of madnesse, and voyde of the feare of God, beganne a tumult againe in Egypt and in Alexandria, * 1.39 and slewe both Romanes and Greekes: they did vse such tyran∣nie at Cyrene, at Thebes, in the 19. yeere of Traianus, that Turbo the Romane slewe and droue all the Iewes out of Egypt and

Libya. So likewise did Lucius Quintinus, he slew many thou∣sand Iewes, and banished them to Mesopotamia by the com∣maundement of Martius. Yet the Iewes continued vntill the seuere commandement of Adrianus the Emperour, who suc∣ceeded * 1.40 Traiane: who perceiuing their often tumults and se∣ditions to be such, as the Romanes coulde haue no rest while any Iewe liued in Iudea, he most straightly charged that they should bee driuen out of their countrey, and that not one should stay in Iudea.

And Adrianus commaunded that none should be suffe∣red to dwell in any denne of the earth, so that the citie which a litle before hee destroyed and the whole countrey con∣quered, nowe the remnant of the Iewes as men forsaken of * 1.41 God, are like vagabonds and roges, banished and whipt out of their countrey, and strangers are come to their place, and the name of Ierusalem changed, and called Aelia, according to * 1.42 the name of the Romane Emperour.

This was the last ende of Ierusalem, where Eusebius named 15. bishops euen from Christes death vntill the destruction of the citie, faithful and constant Christians, in spite of many persecutions: and therefore I haue set downe their names be∣fore you, as I found them in Eusebius.

• 1 Iames named Iustus.
• 2 Simon which was marty∣red vnder Domitianus.
• 3 Iustus.
• 4 Zacchus.
• 5 Tobias.
• 6 Beniamin.
• 7 Ioannes.
• 8 Mathias.
• 9 Philippus.
• 10 Senecas.
• 11 Iustus. the 2. of that name * 1.43
• 12 Leui.
• 13 Ephres.
• 14 Ioses.
• 15 Iudas, the last bishop of Ierusalem. These were Bishops according to the Lawe of Moses of the Circumcision.

Now by the meanes of Adrianus, and his Epistle written to Minutius Fundanus his lieutenant for the stay of this sore and extreeme persecution in all parts of the East, the mem∣bers of Christ had some rest vntill Antoninus Verus, another

persecutor and a vexer of the Church, cleane against the good Emperor Antoniuus Pius his predecessor, who wrote in∣to * 1.44 all parts of Asia, a litle before his latter ende, not onely to spare the Christians frō persecution, but also to fauour them and to ayde them: letting them to liue to their God whome they serued, commending much their constancie and faith towards their God.

But while God stirred some good Emperors to fauour his Church and the members thereof, the deuil was as careful to raise sects of heretikes most wicked, to blaspheme the do∣ctrine of the Church: as first Simon Magus and his disciple and successor Menander the Samaritane, by whom two great here∣sies began, the one being in Antioch, the other in Alexandria, * 1.45 the first schole of the Christians. The heresies of these two fil∣led all Egypt and Syria, euen in the first place where Christ was preached: but it was by God so appointed to exercise his peo∣ple, so that both heresie & true doctrine doeth encrease with persecution. Now beganne Basilides, Carponates, and Saturninus 3. great heretikes, successors of Menāder. Of these and of their * 1.46 fundrie sects, I haue to speake in their place.

Now Antoninus Verus succeeding his father Antoninus Pius, raigned in Rome: vnder whom that godly bishop Polycarpus * 1.47 suffered martyrdome in Smirna, little esteeming the threat∣ning of the Romane Proconsul vnder Antoninus Verus, the people that were Iewes in Smirna crying to haue him throwen to the Lions, Saying, that hee onely was the father of all * 1.48 Christians in Asia, a contemner of our gods, and a teacher of false doctrine: but neither the fire that should burne him, neither beastes that were threatned to deuoure him, neither any torment might feare Polycarpus, so that he most constant∣ly withstoode their torment. So did Metrodorus and Pio∣nius, two other constant Martyrs at that very barre with Po∣lycarpus, and companied him into the middest of the flame, where confessing their God, they died like good Christians in Smirna where Polycarpus was bishop. * 1.49

Likewise at that time in Pergame a towne of Asia, Papilus

and Carpus, two valiant souldiers of Christ Iesus, and Agathoni∣cus a constant Christian endured the force of the flame, and died, and were crowned with martyrs. Iustinus the Philoso∣pher, and a worthie Martyr of the Church of God, reciteth in his Apologie other 3. faithfull Martyrs, named Centurio, Ptolomeus and Lucius, who altogether most boldly stoode to the face of Vrbicius then Proconsul of Rome, and said, that he iudged neither like the godly Emperour his father, neither like an Emperours sonne, being a Philosopher, neither in a∣ny part like a sacred Senator, making no accompt of his in∣solent * 1.50 speach, but died like martyred Christians.

In the 17. yeere of this Antonius Verus, diuers parts of Asia, and Affrike were with persecution visited, insomuch that the congregation of the faithfull dwelling in Louaine and Vienna, (partes sometime of Gallia,) sent letters to comfort the bre∣thren euery where dispersed in Asia and Affrike: amongst whom I found these many professing the Name of Iesus, offe∣ring themselues vnto God as sacrifices readie to the fire, to the sword, to beastes, or to any other torments for Christ Iesus sake. Among whom was Vetius Epagathus a yong man, who * 1.51 liued so to God, that many followed him with great triumph into the fire: Potinus bishop of Lugdunum, ful of the spirit, Za∣charias * 1.52 the priest, Sanctus a deacon of Vienna, Attalus borne in * 1.53 Pergamus, and Maturus. These contended for victorie, and to weare the glorious crownes of Martyrs: for they sawe before their faces, howe constantly Blandina did stande to the tor∣tures, and how she was bound to a tree, that fierce and wilde * 1.54 beasts might deuoure her. But God turned the furie and rage ofbeastes to spare and fauour his Saints.

The like we reade of Alexander a Phisition borne in Phry∣gia, which for the Gospel was iudged to bee deuoured of beasts. Infinite was their ioy which they receiued by the spi∣rit of God in their torments, and innumerable were the mul∣titude of the Saincts, that dayly more and more encreased. And as among the olde Iewes, sundrie sects of heretikes be∣ganne to vexe and trouble the Church of God, as the Saduces, * 1.55

Pharisees, Samaritans, Essaei, Masbothia, and other: so at this time sprang many sorts of heresies: first from Simon Magus the Sa∣maritane: * 1.56 from Menander his disciple and successour: from Sa∣turnius, Valentianus, Cerdon, and many other, whereby many false prophets, false apostles, false antichrists, sowed sedition in the Church, and opposed themselues against Christ and his Church.

But in vaine were all the shifts of Satan: for God raised such armies against them of men, of women, of children that * 1.57 confirmed their doctrine with their blood. The more they wrote, the lesse credite it had: the more they stirred, the lesse they accomplished: for the Martyrs of God amazed their fleshly cogitations, and fully vanquished their wicked de∣uises, God raised good and godly men, and singular wel lear∣ned, as Hegesippus, Appolinarius, Meliton, bishops of Sardis, Pini∣tus bishop of Creete, Dionisius bishop of Corinth, and Irenaeus, with many others. And for that, Irenaeus himselfe wrote a catalogue of the succession of the bishops of Rome after the time of the Apostles, I haue set them orderly downe as I * 1.58 found them in Eusebius.

• 1 Linus.
• 2 Anactelus.
• 3 Clemens.
• 4 Euaristus.
• 5 Alexander.
• 6 Xistus.
• 7 Telespho∣rus.
• 8 Higinus.
• 9 Pius.
• 10 Anicetus.
• 11 Soter. And
• 11 Eleutha∣rius.

I will set downe in order the names of other godly bishops, as of Ierusalem and other places, where God hath bene glori∣fied by his Martyrs, because they shal go together: for after the 15. bishops which were in Ierusalem, before the destruction * 1.59 thereof by Vespasian, others folowed good and godly, which stood to the Church of Christ most constantly and boldly: their names are thus named of the Gentiles.

• 1 Marcus.
• 2 Cassianus.
• 3 Publius.
• 4 Maximus.
• 5 Iulianus.
• 6 Gaianus.
• 7 Symachus.
• 8 Dolychianus.
• 9. Caius And Iulianus the
• 10. the 2. of that name.
• 11. 12. Capito & Valeus.
• 13 Narcissus.

After the destruction of Hierusalem, in Alexandria in the ninth yeere of Comodus the Emperour, was Iulianus bishop of Alexandria after Agrippinus, at what time Pautenus read the Diuinitie lecture to the Christians, a great scholer and a Phi∣losopher of the sect of the Stoikes, a man full of godly zeale, that trauailed from Alexandria to Iudea, to preache and to teach Christ. Likewise in Antioche Cornelius the fourth bi∣shop, * 1.60 Heros the fift, with the successours of them, flourished this time. And in the tenth yeere of Antonius Comodus the Em∣peror, many learned, graue, and godly men flourished in this blasphemous time, among so many wicked and lewde here∣tiques, that liued now in the worlde, as Theophilus bishop of Caesarea, some say of Antiochia, Banchillus, and Policrates, the one bishop in Corinth, the other in Ephesus, Demetrius of Alex∣andria, and Serapion of Antiochia, the eight bishop.

After the Apostles there was no part of Asia emptie from godly men, of whom particularly to speake, how they liued, * 1.61 and bowe they died, I may not, for that their number is infi∣nite, and noting onely the chiefe bishops and learned men, and fewe Martyrs in respect of the whole, I will but briefly touch them. In this Emperours time the Church had some quietnesse, and in respect of much persecution before, they were called Halcyonia sub Comodo Ecclesiae, (and yet Comodus a wicked Emperour as euer liued) at what time they receiued the faith: for euen then Appolonius a Philosopher, a Senator * 1.62 of Rome, a man of singuler learning and zeale, who before Pe∣renius the Iudge, in the Senate before al the Senators of Rome, mainteined his apologie of Christianitie, and read his writing before them, and confirmed the same with his death: for hee was at that time by decree of the Senate beheaded in Rome.

About this time Smirna a towne of Asia, fell by an earth∣quake, and the temple of Serapis in Alexandria was burned. By this time raigned in Rome 13. bishops, after the time of the Apostles: in Alexandria tenne bishops, in Antiochia eight bi∣shops, besides many bishops of Corinth, of Creete, of Ephe∣sus, of Caesarea in Palestina many of these bishops. And

specially of Hierusalem, are not found in Eusebius distinctly.

Hitherto the Romane bishops stood constant and stoute in the faith, with all humilitie and zeale: after this time, by de∣grees * 1.63 they waxed worse and worse, vntill they became worst of all.

CHAP. III.

Of the tyrannie of the time from the sixt persecution vnder Seuerus, vnto the ninth persecution vnder Dioclesian the Emperour: of the zeale and constancie of the godly in their Martyrdome: and of the tyrannie and wickednesse of the kings of Persia, and of the Emperors of Rome, at that time in the persecution of the Church.

I Will passe to the Martyrs of the Church in all countreys, which nowe againe be∣ginneth, what in Alexandria and in E∣gypt, in the time of Septimius Seuerus the * 1.64 Emperour. At what time Leonides the father of Origene was beheaded for the profession of his faith, leauing his sonne a young man behinde him, who vehe∣mently * 1.65 perswaded his father to stande constantly to Christ: and after being growen to some yeeres, taught in Alexandria Christians that came vnto him, as Olutarchus, who to prooue his zeale, and to shew himselfe a Christian, became willingly a Martyr of Iesus Christ.

Also his brother named Heraclas, who being instructed by Origene, came in time to be a bishop of Alexandria: so many zealous men flocked to this vertous and good man, that he gaue vp his other prophane studie, as Grammer, & Rhetoricke, which Demetrius then bishop of Alexandria committed to his charge, and taught Christ to the brethren and Christians that came from •…•…uery part vnto him, in so much that diuers of his scholers proued themselues cōstant Martyrs: as these, Serenus, Heraclides, Heron, Serenus (an other frō the first) and Rhais a wo∣man: * 1.66 these were crowned as victorious Martyrs. After whom folowed Potamaena, a very faire & vertuous virgine, who toge∣ther with her mother Marcella, offered themselues to the like

torments for Christ Iesus: but being pitied of many, that so faire and a beautiful virgine should die, she litle regarded her beautie but said, Gratior est pulchro veniens è corpore virtus, and so was with her mother Marcella burned: whose constant * 1.67 zeale mooued many in Alexandria to professe the Christian faith, as Basilides a souldier, and euen he who brought Pota∣miaena to the stake, was within foure dayes after put in prison, and there baptized, and after beheaded as a Martyr.

Diuers beside, by the instructions of Origen, became faith∣full Martyrs in Alexandria and in other places: for during the reigne of Septimius the Emperour, great persecution fel euery where: in whose time this Origen florished amongst the Mar∣tyrs of the Church, a man singularly well learned, most zea∣lous, and most godly in al his life, euen from his childehood: whose fame grewe such, that Mammea Alexander Seuerus his mother came to Antioch for to see Origen, & was in the tenth yeere of Alexander Seuerus made priest at Caesarea in Palestina. * 1.68 Tertulian was in the time of Origen, in the first yeere of Anto∣ninus surnamed Caracalla, where hee came to Alexandria: hee commaunded that all the young men shoulde be called be∣fore him: and being together in one place, he gaue a signe or a watch worde to his souldiers to kill them, as both Herodia∣nus and Functius doe affirme.

In the time of Origen, Asclepiades was the ninth Bishop of Antiochia, Calixtus the fifteenth and Vrbanus the sixteenth Bi∣shops of Rome, Philetus in Alexandria the tenth Bishop. At this time, Nicopolis a towne in Palestina was builded, being before called Emmaus. In the time of Maximinius the Emperor, Ori∣gen made a booke of Martyrs: for during the whole reigne of * 1.69 this cruell emperor, continued a vehement persecutiō of the Church: Origen confuted many Philosophers, and conuerted many heretikes, disputed & wrote in the face of the aduersa∣ries, insomuch that he reduced Berillus Bishop of Bosterna in Arabia, after sharpe and seuere disputation in the doctrine of the true Church, from his errour concerning the diuine na∣ture of Christ: his fame was such, that Athinedorus and his

brother Gregorie Nazianzenus, with other, many became his schollers. Dionysius also Bishop of Alexandria, in the time of Decius the Emperour, which was a vehement persecutour of the Christians, wrote this of himselfe in an epistle to Fabius Bishop of Antiochia, howe he by Gods prouidence was won∣derfully deliuered from great dangers, and many of the bre∣thren with him, and howe constant in the faith many at that persecution in Alexandria continued and stood most boldly vnto the last breath: as Metra a priest being taken, was com∣maunded * 1.70 by the Romane Iudge to speake some wicked blas∣phemous words, which he refused, and therefore he was bea∣ten and bruised with clubs, and after pricked in the face and in the eyes with sharpe needles, and at last haled & drawen through the towne and stoned to death.

Metra Quinta a faithfull woman, was likewise taken and brought into the temple and there commaunded to worship their idoles, but shee lothing their idolatrie refused to obey them: she was therefore bound both her feete together, and drawen naked through the streetes where sharpe picked stones were for the purpose set in the way, & certein torturers, with whips in their hands scourging her as shee was haled. Appollonia a virgin of ardent zeale, refusing to blaspheme her * 1.71 God with idolatrie, and with wicked sp•…•…ches after them in their temple, they brake her chawe bone, and all her teeth they violently knockt out, and brought her vnto the stake where fire was ready kindled for her, and there being deman∣ded by the magistrates whether she would conuert from her God, and from his religion: shee looked on them, and saide, When I come from my God vnto you againe, I wil answere you, and withall leapt into the fire and ended her life with a glorious death: and to bee short, innumerable were they at * 1.72 that time in Alexandria, that willingly confessed themselues to be Christians, and so bent to offer their bodies to any tor∣ment for the proofe of the same, that at that very tumult and sedition, the wicked and vngodly fedde on the Christians and deuoured them as wolues or lyons deuoure their praye:

nay wolues, lyons, beares, and other sauadge wilde beastes spared the people of God, and had no power to touch them: * 1.73 for God so stopt their mouthes, that tyraunts and cruel mur∣therers might be warned thereby: and for that it is infinite to prosecute the whole histories of Martyrs, I passe ouer them lightly, noting vnto you some fewe for example sake, as now vnder Decius the Emperour these many.

• 1 Metra a Priest.
• 2. 3. Quinta and Appollonia two virgins, you heard of these.
• 4 Serapion martyred with all the torments that might be.
• 5. 6. Iulianus and Coronion after scourging, and sore whip∣ping, were throwen to Camels, and after burned to ashes.
• 7 Marca a blessed Martyr and a stout Christian at that time, was burned aliue.
• 8 A souldier that stoode by and sawe the tortuers so cruell, re∣sisted and stood stoutly to the face of the Magistrates in the profession of Christ, and was after great tortures beheaded.
• 9. 10. Epimachus and Alexander after long imprisonment and diuers torments, were throwen to the fire with 4. wornē * 1.74
• 14 more to accompanny them.
• 15 Likewise Amonarium a blessed virgin.
• 16. 17. Mercuria a sage and godly matrone, and Dionitia a faithfull woman, they made the magistrate amased and the torturers astonied to behold their cōstancie in their tormēts.
• 18 Hieron Ater, and Isidorus 3. Egyptians & Dioscorus a boy of 15. yeres were most cruelly torne and broken in pieces by tor∣tures, and at last burned.
• 22 Menesion an Egyptian full of faith endured most willingly * 1.75 to be martyred for the Gospel.

These with infinite more doth Dionisius a priest write to Fa∣bius bishop of Antiochia, setting forth his owne danger many times, and also setteth downe that persecution which con∣tinued most cruelly for one yere: for the nomber of the faith∣full so increased, their constancie and their faithso amased the wicked, that they were both weary & feareful to folowe their tyrannie, & at last ouerthrowen by their guiltie conscience: but Dyonysius sayeth that diuers times came in place to see

these persecutions certeine souldiers, who seeing the orders and maners of the Christians towards God and his Church, * 1.76 felt them selues much conuerted and most desirous to con∣fesse themselues Christians. At a great persecution in Alexan∣dria standing before the Romane Magistrate, when a certeine Christian among the rest waxed timerous, and feared such torments as hee sawe other suffer hee thought to recant, but these souldiers cōforted him with signes, & perswaded him with secret words, and at length they came openly vnto him, councelled and comforted him to die like a Christian, and at length started in, confessed themselues to the Magistrates to be Christians, and therefore most willing with the rest to die for Christ Iesus sake. It made the the Romane iudge, and the rest of the Commissioners afraide, supposing further, that if * 1.77 they would vse this extreame crueltie of persecution, all A∣lexandria and al Egypt would become in time Christians, and therefore they rose vp from their seate frighted and amased of these strange sightes, and the Christians had some rest. The names of these last souldiers worthie to be engraued Cap∣taines on marble for their victories and conquest ouer them selues, which is the greatest conquest of all, I cannot omitte: they were foure in number.

• 1 Ammon. * 1.78
• 2 Zenon.
• 3 Ptolomeus.
• 4 Ingenus.

And beside these foure, an olde man named Theophilus, in * 1.79 the next place hee bringeth in Ischyrion, a faithfull Martyr of that time, and Cheremon, an olde Bishop of a Citie called Ni∣lus, * 1.80 who fled with his wife and children to the mountaines of Arabia, to auoide the tyrānie of that time: likewise of Vrbanus, Sidonius, and Selerius, three Martyrs which suffered all kind of torments, to enioy the glorious crowne of Martyrs. When this cruell Emperour Decius died, Gallus succeeded him both in life and in persecution, about what time Origen also died. This time in Rome, Cornelius was the twentieth Bishop: in An∣tiochia, * 1.81 Demetrianus was the fourteenth Bishop: in Alexan∣dria, this Dionisius that wrote of this last persecution, the 13.

Bishop. In other places other godly & faithfull Bishops reig∣ned, as Theoctistus in Caesarea, Mezabantes in Ierusalem, Marinus in Tyrus, Heliodorus in Laodicea, in Cappadocia Firmilianus, Hele∣nus in Tarsus, & so (to be short) in all Syria, Arabia, Pontus, Bythi∣nia, * 1.82 and Mesopotamia, godly and good Byshops liued vnder the feare of God. This did Dionysius Byshop of Alexandria write to Stephanus the 22. Bishop of Rome, of the peace and the staie of the persecution in all the parts of the East coun∣tries.

To this Bishop Stephen, Ciprian bishop of Carthage wrote concerning those that were here tikes conuerted, that by bap∣tisme * 1.83 they were first to be receiued into the Church. During this litle quietnesse and stay of persecution diuers and sundry sectes of heresies began to rise in many places: as Heresis No∣uatiana, & Sabellaena, with others. Cyprianus bishop of Carthage, a singular deuoute man, and a Martyr of the Church, was of the Carthagineans and the Affricanes honored as a god, to whō they erected a temple in memory of him, & celebrated a so∣lemne feast, calling often on the name of Cypriā, which tem∣ple the Vandales in the time of their king Tuorichus destroyed. Thus much Euagrius in his histories of the Church wrote of Cyprian, who also dyed a most constant Martyr of Christ Iesus.

I omitte with Dionysius to name the Martyrs which dyed vnder Valerianus the emperour, because they were so many, * 1.84 men, women, children, olde men, young men, olde women, virgins, souldiers, and all kinde of people, who became most willing Martyrs, and suffered diuers torments for religion sake. Amongst whome Lucius Maximus Demetrius, Faustinus, and Aquila suffered in Egypt: also Eusebius was then Deacon, * 1.85 and after made Byshop of Laodicea in Syria, and Faustus who succeeded Eusebius, Cheremon, Caius, and diuers other, who from place to place, to auoide that terrible persecution which reigned vnder the Emperour Valerianus, wandred ma∣ny Countries, desertes, & mountaines. And as for the Mar∣tyrs of Caesarea, specially there were three, which willingly

came from their houses in the Countrie to Caesarea, being a∣shamed and sory to haue seene so many good and godly Christians contending for the same noble crowne of Mar∣tyrs, * 1.86 that they were so long negligent and carelesse of so glo∣rious reward, and therefore Priscus Malchus, and Alexander claimed before the Iudge the rewarde of Christians, and streight they were deliuered to be deuoured of beastes, from whom these three stoute Christians shrinked not.

I will not omitte the historie of Marinus a knight of Caesa∣rea, who when hee obteyned that honour by iust desertes, which was among the Romanes a rewarde for victorie, and * 1.87 thereby to bee called Centurio, a certeine Sycophant accused this knight to the Magistrate, saying that it was not lawfull by the auncient lawes, that Marinus should haue that Ro∣mane dignitie, for that hee was a Christian: who being de∣maunded, most boldly confessed himselfe to bee a Christi∣an: and yet hauing three houres to deliberate of this cause, Marinus went to consult with Theotecnus byshop then of Cae∣sarea, by whom he was in this instructed: he brought him into the Temple, and offered before him a naked sworde, and the * 1.88 newe Testament of Christ Iesus: Chuse, said the byshop, which thou wilt: whereby he was admonished to stand to his faith most stoutly, and dyed for the same.

This time againe another sedicion began in Alexandria: for sooner the great Ocean could be emptied from water, then Alexandria purged from sedicion. Of this sedicion, Dionysius wrote to Hierax byshop of Egypt, and also a terrible sicknesse * 1.89 that then reigned in Alexandria for the rewarde of their per∣secution, which so long and so vehement endured, which was warre, hunger, and pestilence, that they were so pla∣gued in Alexandria for their crueltie against the Church of Christ, as Egypt was for their tyrannie shewed to the Israelites. These and many other things wrote Dionysius into Egypt, into Affrike, and to al Asia, to instruct the brethren of the tumults, sedicion, and persecution in Alexandria, and after of the * 1.90 warres, hunger, and plague that ensued the same.

Nowe a Synod was called at Rome to consult of the heresie of Paulus Samosatenus, who denied the Diuinitie and Eterni∣tie * 1.91 of our Sauiour Christ: for at that time Paulus Samosatenus succeeded Demetrianus in Antiochia, and for that he thought so impiously of Christ, affirming in all pointes that hee was but a man, a Synod also was called at Antiochia, where diuers learned byshops, and other godly preachers came together: amongst whom, Firmilianis byshop of Caesarea in Cappadocia, Gregorius Nazianzenus and his brother Athenodorus which were byshops in Pontus, Helenus byshop of Tarsus, Hymeneus * 1.92 byshop of Ierusalem, and Theolecnus with Maximus, the one byshop of Caesarea in Palestina, the other byshop of Bostea∣na in Arabia, with many more which for breuitie sake I omit, where Samosatenus was confuted by Malchion a reader of the Greeke lecture in Antiochia, a subtill schooleman and a per∣fect * 1.93 good Christian, so that at length Samosatenus was con∣demned as a heretike, and driuen out of his bishoprike by the commaundement of Aurelianus the Emperour.

This time began one other heretike called Manes to sowe the seede of Satan: of whom sprang those heretikes called the Manichees: and as persecution seased some time, so heresie at that very time beganne to encrease. Nowe reigned this time these byshops in Rome, Alexandria, Antiochia, and in other places.

• 1 First in Rome after Stephanus reigned Xistus 23. Byshop of
• 2 Rome, after him Dionysius the 24 Byshop, after Dionysius
• 3. 4. Felix the 25. then Eutichianus the 26. Byshoppe, and * 1.94
• 5 Gaius the 27. Byshop.
• In Alexandria after that godly Dionysius of whome you
• 6 heard of, succeeded Maximus, after Maximus succeded
• 7 Theonas.
• After Demetrianus in Antioch fourteene Bishops.
• This Paulus Samosatenus being as an Heretike condemned,
• succeeded him Domnus Demetrianns sonne.
• ...

• After him succeeded Timaeus. After Timaeus, succeeded that great and famous scholler, Cyrillus.
• In Laodicea Eusebius a learned man was Byshop, and many other Byshops in other places, as Hymeneus and Labdas, two By∣shops of Ierusalem.

CHAP. IIII.

From Dioclesian vnder whom the vehementest persecutions of any reigned, vntill the reigne of Alexand. Seuerus: by whose good meanes and great trauatle persecution somewhat slackt, at what time diuers Heresies beganne fresh in many places of Asia and Europe.

NOwe Dioclesianas the Emperour begin∣neth to reigne in Rome, vnder whome the greatest perseucution of all fell: for the like against the Christians was at no time seene: for some rest they had in all places by meanes of learned mens Epi∣stles to other emperors before this: but now were Churches throwen downe, sacred bookes burned, and godly learned Byshops persecu∣ted in such sort, that I wish them that desire to knowe the mi∣serie and aflictions of Christians of that time, to reade Euse∣bius his eight booke of his Ecclesiasticall histories, and there * 1.95 he shall reade howe that in Palestina and in Phoenicia, Christi∣ans were throwen most cruelly to bee deuoured of beastes, * 1.96 which beasts though they were such as were called 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, yet had no power to touch them, though they were lyons, beares, wilde bulles, and such others, which made the people amased: which thing being certified vnto the Romane ma∣gistrate Viturius, he commaunded them to be slaine with the sword, and their bodies to be throwen into the sea.

The like persecution fell in Egypt, where an infinite num∣ber were haled and drawen by the head & by the feete, some * 1.97 hauing their bones broken, some their sinowes stretched, some hanged aliue to famine by their legges vpwarde, some

tortured sundry wayes in the fire, with diuers other inuenti∣ons of torments, that some dayes tenne, some dayes twentie, some thirtie, and some dayes a hūdred were persecuted most tyrannically, which continued not for dayes but for yeeres: for it was lawful for any other man to abuse, to punish, and to compell Christians to Idolatrie, and to obey their religion. The persecution was so sore in his time, that 1700. were mar∣tyred * 1.98 and slaine in thirtie dayes, and they were the best and chiefest men in Palestina, Phoenicia, & Egypt: so was Philoromus a gouernour and a magistrate in Alexandria Phileas Bishop of Egypt, and these whose names among thousands I pickt out, for that they are great men and magistrates and gouernors.

• 1 Authimus Byshop of Nicomedia.
• 2 Lucianus Byshop of Tyrus.
• 3 Senobius one of the elders of Sidon.
• 4 Syluanus Byshop of Emisa, who in the very towne where he was Bishop, with diuers other Martyrs with him, were made * 1.99 as baites and prayes for rauening beastes.
• 5 Another Syluanus, who was martyred with 39. other Mar∣tyrs of Palestina: this Syluanus was Byshop of Gaza.
• 6. 7. Pelus and Nilus two Byshops of Egypt, with many moe, were martyred with diuers torments, and at last burned.
• Pamphilus an Elder, the very ornament of Caesarea died, a most constant Martyr.

Out of Alexandria were martyred most cruelly for their profession and faith, many graue learned Byshops and El∣ders * 1.100 of the Church of Christ: as

• Petrus then Byshop of Alexandria, with whome dyed Faustus, Dicius and Ammonius, three of the most learned and vertu∣ous Elders of that Church.
• After these Phileas, Hesicheus, Pachimius, and Theodorus: 4. godly Byshops ouer the Churches of Egypt, perfect Martyrs of Christ Iesus and of his Church.

What shoulde I rehearse millions more, that constantly professed Christ, refused no death, no torments for his sake? such was the mercie of God towarde his Church, that

the more that tyraunts persecuted Christians to death, the more the number multiplied, their faith encreased, and the Church florished, insomuch that a noble man of Nicome∣dia * 1.101 perceiuing the tyrannie and the affliction of the Chri∣stians, and the vehement persecution, that nowe endured in the time of Dioclesian, being a Magistrate, in the very face of the Romanes brake in pieces the Emperours letters, and * 1.102 his decree concerning further punishment of the godly, though in Nicomedia then were two Emperours, yet this no∣ble man feared not for IESVS sake and his saintes, not one∣ly to breake the commaundement of Caesar his lord and Em∣perour, but also most boldly stood to it to the death.

Besides, diuers others at that time in Nicomedia, suffered most willingly to bee martyred: yea some from the Empe∣rours Court, of his familie, as Dor theus, Gorgonius, and other * 1.103 Courtiers: yea, they of the Emperours chamber, his owne cousins, being some but very young, of great honour and great fauour, loue, and liking with the Emperor, made more choise of this seruice and cruell death, then of that Courtly * 1.104 and gallant life: among whome I finde one named Petrus, a young lustie prince, who refused to bowe to Idoles, or to doe any sacrifice vnto them: hee was commaunded to bee lifted vp naked, and there to be whipped and scourged, vntill hee woulde willingly sacrifice to Idoles •…•…hee stoode stout and constant, vntill by beating vnto the very bones his fiesh from his body fell by pieces, and then they tooke salt and vineger mingled together, and powred it in purulen∣tis corporis partibus (as the historie sayth) and yet hee yeelded not: then th•…•… brought him to the fire, where they pinche•…•… * 1.105 him with hote irons, and pricked him with sharpe bodkins: and perceiuing that hee would not recant, he was comman∣ded to be burned.

In this Dioclesians time, all prisons were full of Christians, and all Townes and Cities full of persecutions. In Arabia, * 1.106 multitudes of Martyrs were tormented with sundry inuen∣tions, as breaking of their legges, pulling out their eyes, cut∣ting

of their nostrels and their lippes, knocking out their teeth, and such vnchristian like torments. In Antiochia, with burning coles they tortured the Martyrs of Christ Iesus. In Pon∣tus, * 1.107 the Martyrs were thus tortured, with sharpe, long, and strong needles, thrusting them vp vnder the nailes of their fingers, and vnder the nailes of their toes. To bee short, in some places their right eye was put out, and the left knee was cutte off: in some other places, in boyling leade they were by little and little tormented: and in other places with * 1.108 all tortures in their priuie members, most terrible to be spo∣ken, punished, and martyred. In all places all kinde of tor∣ments were most cruelly vsed against the Saintes and peo∣ple of God. When Dioclesianus had reigned twentie yeeres, and had fomed like a bloody bore against the Church, hee dyed: in whose time the Christians multiplied by his tyran∣nie more, then reason or sence can alleadge.

After him succeded Maxentius an Emperor, who though hee dissembled for a while to gette the Romanes good will, yet he shortly proued a tyraunt, and so hatefull to good men, that betweene Maximinus in the East coūtries with his hypo∣crisie * 1.109 and superstition, and Maxentius in Rome with his filthi∣nesse and tyrannie, the Church againe and the members thereof were most miserably afflicted in such sort, that neither Mazentius in Rome, nor Maximinus abroade coulde neither stoppe nor staye the multitude, that dayly came into Gods * 1.110 Church, neither their murthering and killing in euery coun∣trie could feare them any thing at all.

Maximinus, one of the greatest persecutors, sauing Diocle∣sian, who in thirtie daies slue and martyred 1700. Christians, * 1.111 by some diuine iustice of God fell grieuously sicke at Tarsus: where despairing of his life, & feeling his cōscience accusing him for the great slaughter he vsed against the Christians, he caused by an edict, persecution to stay, and to loose prisoners out of prison, & to set captiue Christians at libertie: but this cōtinued not but while the emperor was sicke & liketo die▪ for * 1.112 whē he recouered his health, he waxed more cruel thē before,

sparing neither man, woman, nor childe, vsing all kinde of * 1.113 torments on the Byshops and learned men in all Coun∣tries, so that his tyrannie ouer the Christians might bee well compared to the rage and furie of Pharao ouer the Israelites.

But he was cutte offrō this murthering & slaughter of the Christians by Licinius the Emperour, who then had maried Constantia sister to Constantine the great: for at this time foure emperors were at once gouernors of Rome: & so a litle before, Maxentius the other persecutour was discomfited and van∣quished by Constantine the great at Miluius bridge.

Thus farre fomed tyraunts in Christian blood, and the Church was sore afflicted euery where, where the Romane Emperours gouerned. And thus farre doth Eusebius his tenne * 1.114 bookes handle and set forth of those kingdomes and Coun∣tries, where this persecution and affliction of the Church re∣mained, euen from the Apostles time vntill Constantine the great. This Constantine was a godly Emperor, who defended the Christians and the Church of Christ, that in steade of per∣secution, brought libertie to the Church, and in steade of warre, peace: for after that Constantine the great had vanqui∣shed Licinius, & had gotten the Empire into his owne hand, he established first religion, and caused a Synod of Byshops at Rome to determine, and to agree concerning the agreement in religion: he wrote to Miltiades Byshop of Rome, he sent to Affrike to his lieutenant Anilinus, that Cecilianus Byshop of * 1.115 Carthage, with the other tenne Byshops that accused him, should be sent to Rome, & there further to examine the faults and errors of Cecilianus, and to auoide that controuersie be∣tweene these byshops, that then in diuers places liued. Hee wrote, that bishops out of Fraunce, and out of Affrike, should againe come together to reason in causes of the Church, and to moderate the same: for during the time that Licinius his Collegue in the Empire reigned, specially in the end, Licini∣us * 1.116 beganne to hate Constantine, and to persecute the Church, waxed cruell against good byshops, & persecuted them most vehemently, and threwe their Churches downe, & slue and

murthered the people most miserably: for then Licinius com∣menced not onely warre against Constantinus, but also a∣gainst God and his Church. Hee caused Basilius Byshop * 1.117 of Amasia in Pontus to bee slaine with the sworde, and a hundred other. His furie continued not long, and there∣fore God raysed vp this good Emperour, to reuenge his people, not onely nowe vpon Licinius, but also vpon Max∣entius and Maximinus, two great persecutours of the Chri∣stians.

After this (as you heard) Constantinus studied howe hee might benefite the Church, establish religion, and ayde the afflicted members that long suffered sharpe persecution, and were nowe scattered into wildernesses, into mountaines, and into such places where they might hide themselues from the sworde and from the fire. This time florished Egypt with sundry learned and godly Philosophers. Also in Mesopota∣mia * 1.118 the like godly men liued, some in wildernesses and in mountaines, as these whose names I lay downe, as I founde them in Rufinus.

• 1 Marcereus and another of that name liued in the wildernesse.
• 2 Isidorus in a place called Scithi.
• 3 Pembus in the desert of Egypt.
• Moyses and Beniamin in a place called Nitria.
• 4. 5. 6. Scyron, and Helias, and Paulus, liued and hid themselues in Apeliote.
• 7. 8. Poemen and Ioseph in Pispirihill, these with ma∣ny others that liued in diuers partes of Egypt true and sound Christians.

Nowe when Constantine the great had by his greatnesse * 1.119 enlarged the Empire of Rome farre more then any of his pre∣decessours, in so much that hee was compared vnto Cyrus king of Persia for his valure, vnto Alexander the great for his victories and conquests, who visited in like maner as Alexan∣der did, India, Aethiopia, Scythia, and other farre kingdomes

from Rome: and hauing stayed persecution in most places, hee comforted the Christians, so that the Gospel beganne to florish among the Barbarous people in Armenta and in Persia. Hee reedified great and chiefe Cities, as Nicomedia in Bythinia, and also Bizantium in Thracia, and made it equall to Rome in all points, and named it after his ownename, Con∣stantinople: * 1.120 for there was nothing in Rome, but this Empe∣rour builded the like in Constantinople, in so much that it was called newe Rome, the onely Citie of fame and renow me in all the East countries.

To this Towne many of the best learned men both Greekes and Iewes haue come and dwelt there: here nowe religion florished, Christians reioyced, and all learned men of the world frequented. Againe, Constantine caused a temple to be made by the oke of Mambre: this is nowe Terebinthus, a place * 1.121 from Hebron distant fifteene furlongs, and from Ierusalem 250. furlongs. To this place the Phoenicians and the Arabians were wont once euery yere to come, to traffique and to mar∣chandize with the Iewes: they kept a solemne feast in memo∣rie of Abraham the Patriarch, and offered in sacrifice after the lawe of Moses eyther an oxe or a goate, or else a sheepe or a Cocke. Euery nation honoured this place: the Iewes in memorie of Abraham, the Gentiles in memorie of the Angels * 1.122 that there appeared vnto Abraham: the Christians in me∣morie of CHRIST IESVS the Sonne of GOD being there then the thirde Angel seene of Abraham before hee tooke flesh of the Virgine Marie, well nigh two thousand yeeres. This place also Constantine adorned and beautified with many monuments.

It were long to rehearse the goodnesse of this Empe∣rour, and to repeate his care and doings in all partes of the worlde for the Church: hee caused a Synod at this time to beehad at Nice in Bythinia, where were gathered to∣gether three hundred and eighteene Byshops: in the which, the heresie of Arrius was condemned. At what time A∣thanasius was appointed Byshop of Alexandria, to succeede

Alexander, who deposed Arrius.

The Arrians persecuted this Athanasius, so that hee was forced to flee for succour to the Emperour Constantine. * 1.123 This time succeeded in Antioch after Tiranus the nine∣teenth byshop, Vitalis the twentieth: after him, Philogonus the twentie one: after him, Paulinus: after him Eustachius, whose place (after hee was banished for the Gospel) the Ar∣rians occupied.

In Rome Marcus the seconde of that name was Byshop, after whom succeeded Iulius the third. In his dayes the Ar∣menians * 1.124 and the Indians receiued Christianitie: yet in Per∣sia vnder king Sapores, the Christians were sore persecu∣ted: the Magi of Persia perswaded Sapores the king to pu∣nish Simeon the Archbishop of Seleucia, for that he was a friende to the Romanes. By this meanes, great persecuti∣on beganne in Persia, against the Archbyshop Simeon and Vstazanes an olde man and likewise the kings tutour, for * 1.125 that they would worship not the sunne after the manner of the Persians.

Likewise Pusices a noble man of the Court of Sapor, * 1.126 with his daughter a faire virgine did suffer torments for the trueth. Anania and Azadis the Kings eunuches, and Tarbula the sister of Simeon in like sort suffered violent death, and on that very day the Iewes by the commande∣ment of Magi, being by the king licenced, brought an hundred Christians, some of them were Byshops, some Elders, and some of other orders of the Church, which for that they would not worship the sunne wereslaine with the sword.

It is written in Eusebius in the Ecclesiasticall histories, of Her. Zozamenis, that two hundred and fiftie Byshops were put to the sworde by commaundement of Sapores * 1.127 the king, for their constancie and faith in CHRIST IE∣SVS: whose names, though not all, yet some as I founde in the historie, I set downe: which are these.

• ...

• 1 Barbasymes.
• 2 Paulus.
• 3 Gaddiabes. * 1.128
• 4 Sabinus.
• 5 Mareas.
• 6 Mocius.
• 7 Manfriandes.
• 8 Hormisdas.
• 9 Papas.
• 10 Iacobus.
• 11 Romas.
• 12 Maares.
• 13 Agas.
• 14 Bochres.
• 15 Abdas.
• 16 Abdiesus.
• 17 Dausas.
• 18 Abranims.
• 19 Agdelas.
• 20 Sabores.
• 21 Issaac and
• 22 Dausas.

These were taken captiue and brought before the Magi∣strates, and for not worshipping the Sunne according to the * 1.129 Persians maners, the king commaunded, that they should be put to the sword.

To this king Sapores, Constantinus the Emperour wrote in fauour of the Christians, which Epistle is extant in Eusebius in the life of Constantine.

Thus much I thought good to set downe among other wickednesses and tyrannies that reigned among the Romane Emperours. Hee that will see more of persecution and here∣sies, let him reade Eusebius, Nicephorus, and others, and hee shall satisfie himselfe therein. I thought it fitte to annexe thus much of persecution to the Romane Emperours and to Popes, as to the authours of all persecutions in all Coun∣tries.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The first per∣secution vnder Tiberius Nero the third Em∣perour of Rome.
• * 1.2

  The first per∣secution vnder Tib. Nero, the thirde Empe∣rour of Rome.
• * 1.3

  The Senators of Rome cano∣nized whom they would to be gods.
• * 1.4

  The stubborne and rebelli∣ous Iewes.
• * 1.5

  Philo came to Rome the 2. time in Cali∣gulas raigne.
• * 1.6

  Sedition in Alexandria.
• * 1.7

  Euseb. lib. 6.
• * 1.8

  Petronius Pre∣sident in Hie∣rusalem.
• * 1.9

  Ioseph. cap. 15.
• * 1.10

  The Apostles dispersed in to euery coun∣trey to preach.
• * 1.11

  More Martyrs then Tyrants.
• * 1.12

  The first per∣secution.
• * 1.13

  Simon Magus had his •…•…mage set vp with this title, Si∣moni Deo Sancto.
• * 1.14

  Euseb. 3. cap. 23.
• * 1.15

  Heretikes are Satans soul∣diours.
• * 1.16

  Acts 11.
• * 1.17

  Euseb. 2. cap. 25.
• * 1.18

  Marke the E∣uangelist died a martyr vn∣der Traiane the Emperor.
• * 1.19

  Màthew the A∣postle taught and preached in Ethiops.
• * 1.20

  Aegyptus a false prophet seduced 30•…•…0 Iewes.
• * 1.21

  Acts. 21.
• * 1.22

  Paul brought before Felix.
• * 1.23

  The second persecution.
• * 1.24

  Felix ruled in Iudea.
• * 1.25

  Ionathan slaine.
• * 1.26

  They fled from Hierusa∣lem to Pella a village be∣yond Iorden.
• * 1.27

  The insolen∣cie of the Iewes.
• * 1.28

  Ananias a hie Priest.
• * 1.29

  God vseth all things by meanes.
• * 1.30

  Titus the scourge of Ie∣r•…•…salem.
• * 1.31

  Euseb. 3. cap. 8.
• * 1.32

  Ioseph. lib. 6. cap. 31.
• * 1.33

  The 3. perse∣cution.
• * 1.34

  Euseb. 3. cap. 29.
• * 1.35

  The fourth persecution in Traianes time.
• * 1.36

  Euseb. Eccle. lib. 10. cap. 32.
• * 1.37

  Plini wrote to Traiane.
• * 1.38

  Fire and blood the En∣fignes of ty∣rants.
• * 1.39

  All the Iewes were driuen out of Egypt.
• * 1.40

  The Iewes banished from their countrey by the com∣mandement of Adrian the Emperour.
• * 1.41

  Euseb. cap. 6.
• * 1.42

  Hierusalem na∣med Aelia.
• * 1.43

  Euseb. lib. 4. cap. 9.
• * 1.44

  Gentiles com∣mended the Christians.
• * 1.45

  Menander the Samaritan, Si∣mon Magus scholer.
• * 1.46

  Three great heretiques.
• * 1.47

  Euseb. 4. cap. 15.
• * 1.48

  The fift per∣secution vnder Antoninus sir∣anmed Verus.
• * 1.49

  Anno Christi 170.
• * 1.50

  Godly Martyrs feared no∣thing.
• * 1.51

  Vetius.
• * 1.52

  Zacharias.
• * 1.53

  Luke 1.
• * 1.54

  The glory of God is in his Saints.
• * 1.55

  Euseb. 4. cap. 21.
• * 1.56

  Simon Magus.
• * 1.57

  The shifts of Satan is in vaine.
• * 1.58

  Eusebius 5. cap. 6.
• * 1.59

  Godly bishops in Ierusalem af∣ter Vespatians time.
• * 1.60

  During the time of Como∣dus the Empe∣rour many godly bishops flourished.
• * 1.61

  Euseb. 5. cap. 19.
• * 1.62

  Apol. the Phi∣losopher mar∣tyred.
• * 1.63

  The bishops of Rome in the beginning good constant Martyrs.
• * 1.64

  Leonides the father of Ori∣gen beheaded.
• * 1.65

  Euseb. lib. 6. cap. 1. Eccl.
• * 1.66

  Diuers Mar∣tyrs in the time of Origin.
• * 1.67

  A good verse for a faire wo∣man.
• * 1.68

  Tertulian was in the time of Origen.
• * 1.69

  Nicopolis be∣fore was cal∣led Emaus.
• * 1.70

  Metra a priest tortured.
• * 1.71

  Appollonia a zealous maid much tormē∣ted.
• * 1.72

  The infinite number of Martyrs.
• * 1.73

  Sauage wilde beasts spared the people of God.
• * 1.74

  The multitude of Martyrs.
• * 1.75

  The zeale of Martyrs in those dayes.
• * 1.76

  Many cōuer∣ted vnto the faith.
• * 1.77

  The Iudges were amased to see such cō∣stancie in the Christians.
• * 1.78

  Euseb. 6. cap. 41. and 42.
• * 1.79

  Theophilus.
• * 1.80

  Cheremon.
• * 1.81

  Origen dyed.
• * 1.82

  Many godly and good By∣shops.
• * 1.83

  Cyprian bishop of Carthage.
• * 1.84

  The 8. perse∣cution vnder Valerianus.
• * 1.85

  Martyrs en∣crease in eue∣ry countrie.
• * 1.86

  The crowne of Martyrs is eternitie.
• * 1.87

  The historie of Marinus a Romane knight
• * 1.88

  The new Te∣stament, and the naked sword.
• * 1.89

  Alexandria a very seditious towne.
• * 1.90

  Dionysius.
• * 1.91

  A Synod at Rome.
• * 1.92

  Samosatenus confuted.
• * 1.93

  Persecution slacketh, here∣sie reigned.
• * 1.94

  Euseb. cap. 27.
• * 1.95

  Euseb. 8. booke
• * 1.96

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The tyrannie vnder Diccle∣si•…•… ouer the martyrs of God.
• * 1.97

  Persecution in Egypt.
• * 1.98

  1700. Martyrs in 30. dayes.
• * 1.99

  A most vehe∣ment perse∣cution.
• * 1.100

  The blood of godly Martyrs are precious in the Church of God.
• * 1.101

  A rare exam∣ple in Mico∣media.
• * 1.102

  Euseb. cap. 6.
• * 1.103

  Courtiers Christians.
• * 1.104

  Courtiers Martyred.
• * 1.105

  The tyrannie of persecut. ō.
• * 1.106

  All prisons in Townes and Cities full of Christians.
• * 1.107

  Perillus schol∣lers inuent tortures to destroy Chri∣stians.
• * 1.108

  In Dioclesians time hell was opened to let the furies out.
• * 1.109

  Maximinus.
• * 1.110

  Tenth perse∣cution.
• * 1.111

  1700. Christi∣ans Martyred.
• * 1.112

  Maximinus sicke.
• * 1.113

  The tyrannie of this time might well be compared to the rage of Pharao ouer the Israelites
• * 1.114

  The great cle∣mencie of Constantine the great towards the Christiās.
• * 1.115

  Const. caused a Synod at Rome.
• * 1.116

  Licinius per∣secuted the Christians.
• * 1.117

  Licinius tyrānie against the Christians.
• * 1.118

  Rufinus lib. 2. cap. 8.
• * 1.119

  Constantine the great compa∣red to Cyrus and to Alex.
• * 1.120

  Sozomenus 2. cap. 2.
• * 1.121

  The Oke of Mambre.
• * 1.122

  Herma. Sozom. lib. 2. cap. 3.
• * 1.123

  Athanasius by the Arrians persecuted.
• * 1.124

  The Armenians and the Indi∣ans became Christians.
• * 1.125

  The Sunne worshipped in Persia.
• * 1.126

  Pusices.
• * 1.127

  Zozam. lib. 2. cap. 12. 250. Bishops executed by Sapores, who reigned 70. yeeres.
• * 1.128

  These were al martyred in Persia vnder king Sapores.
• * 1.129

  The Emperor Constan. wrote to Sapores king of Persia in fa∣uour of the Christians.