The historie of Great Britannie declaring the successe of times and affaires in that iland, from the Romans first entrance, vntill the raigne of Egbert, the West-Saxon prince; who reduced the severall principalities of the Saxons and English, into a monarchie, and changed the name of Britannie into England.

CHAP. XII.

The persecution of Christians in Britannie vnder Diocle∣sian the Emperour. The death of Saint Alban the first British Martyr.

NOw began the storme of persecution for Chri∣stian Religion to arise vnder Dioclesian, who com∣manded, that throughout the Dominions of the Empire, the people should offer sacrifice onely to the gods of the Emperours, and that such as refused so to do, should be punished with diverse kinds of cruell death. Hereupon the Christians, (being then disper∣sed in diverse parts of the world,) not fearing any tor∣ments that tyrannie could devise, made publike pro∣fession of their faith, which they constantly maintei∣ned, and willingly sealed with their blood. Amongst many others that died in Britannie for that cause, Al∣ban, an Inhabitant of the famous free Cittiea 1.1 Veru∣lamium, is specially remembred as the first British Mar∣tyr, who being yet but a Pagan, received into his house

a Christian, one of the Clergie named Amphibalus, that fled from his persecutors: and observing his devo∣tion in watching, fasting, and praying, became in the end a follower of his faith and vertue. And to the end that his guest might escape the hands of them that pursued him, he put on his garments, offering himselfe to the Souldiers that were sent to search his house, and in that habite was presented to the Iudge, before whom he made confession of his faith, reprooving the prophane rites of heathenish superstition. Where∣upon he was committed to the Tormentors to be whipped, and persisting in his constancie, was after∣wards beheaded on the top of an high hill neere the Citie.

It is reported, that the Tormentor (who was first ap∣pointed to behead him) perceiving a miracle wrought by him, as he went to the place of execution, refused to do his office, casting the sword out of his hand, and prostrating himselfe at Saint Albans feete, desired ear∣nestly that he might either die for him, or with him, ra∣ther then live to be the minister of his death; wherupon as a professor of that faith, whereof he had beene long time a persecutor, he dranke of the same cup with Saint Alban, and in steed of the sacramentall signe of Baptism, was washed in the bath of his own blood. It is also writ∣ten of Saint Alban his executioner, that his eyes fell out of his head at the verie instant, that the Martyrs head (being severed from the bodie) fell to the ground; But whether it were the pleasure of God in the first plan∣ting of his truth here, to approve the same by miracles; or whether the incredulitie of that Age, might give Writers occasion to report more then the truth, I will not take vpon me to censure. There suffered also ina 1.2 Le∣gecestria about the same time, and for the same cause,

Aaron and Iulius: and in sundrie other places of this Ile many other, as well women as men, who gave testi∣monie of their patience, in praying for their persecu∣tors, and also of their pietie by doing things miracu∣lous, which moved the Pagan Princes at the last to cease their tyrannie, as being rather wearied with afflicting the Christians, then the Christians themselves with en∣during the affliction; Such power hath man being assi∣sted with divine grace, to do, and suffer, even above, and against Nature it selfe. The maner of Saint Al∣bans death being engraven vpon a Marble stone, was set vp within the Citie for a terror to the Christians, who afterwards erected a Temple in that place, which was accounted venerable for many ages after the de∣struction of Verulamium: out of whose ruines, an o∣ther Towne was raised, continuing the name and me∣morie of Saint Alban the Martyr even to this day. Not many yeares after, Amphibalus also (who converted S. Alban) being apprehended by the Roman Souldiers, for preaching the Christian faith vnto the Britans, was put to death, neere the place where Saint Alban his dis∣ciple had suffered Martyrdome before him.

Notes

• a 1.1

  An ancient City somtime neere Saint Albans.
• a 1.2

  Leyceste••.