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* 1.1XIV. CHAP.
1. The death of Antoninus Emperour, to whom succeed Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus.
2. The death of S. Praxedes.
3. Persecution rais'd by M. Aurelius at the instigation of Philosophers.
1. THE same yeare with S. Novatus, did the Emperour Antoninus likewise end his life:* 1.2 to whom succeeded Marcus Aurelius, call'd the Philosopher, and Lucius Verus: so that the Roman Empire was joyntly governed by two persons, with equall authority.
* 1.32. In the second year of the raign of these Emperours dyed the holy Virgin Praxedes. Concerning whom thus the Holy Priest Pa∣stor continues to write: Two years and eighteen days after this Church was dedicated, there was a great persecution rais'd against Christians, to the end to force them to worship Idols: and many were crown'd with Martyrdom. Now the holy Virgin of our Lord Praxedes, being fervent in the Holy Ghost, secretly conceal'd many Christians in the sayd Title, or Church: whose bodies she strengthned with food, and their minds with ex∣hortations proceeding from Gods spirit. Then in∣formation was given to Antoninus (that is, M. Aurelius) that Christian assemblies were made in the house of Praxedes. Who sent Officers and layd hold on many, among which was Symitrius a Priest, with twenty two more: All which he commanded to be put to death in the same Title, without any examination. Whose bodies the bles∣sed Virgin Praxedes took by night, and buried them in the Coemitery of Priscilla on the sea∣venth day of the Ides of Iune. After this the Holy Virgin became much afflicted in mind, and with many groans prayd unto our Lord that she might passe out of this life; whose prayers and teares found accesse unto our Lord Iesus Christ. For on the thirty fourth day after the Martyrdom of the foresaid Saints the consecrated Virgin went unto our Lord, on the twelfth of the Calends of August. Whose body I Pastor a Priest buried next to her Father in the Coemitery of Priscilla in the Salarian way: where at this day the Prayers, and devotions of Saints are frequently exercised.
3. This persecution was begun cheifly at the instigation of Heathen Philosophers, espe∣cially the inhuman, beastly Sect of the Cy∣nicks. For by reason of the Emperours stu∣diousnes and profession of Stoicall Philo∣sophy, such persons had easy admittance to him. Among whom Tatianus a learned Chri∣stian in that time takes notice of one infa∣mous Cynick called Crescens, whose vanity, luxury, cruelty and profanenes is well de∣scribed by him: and S. Iustin Martyr in his Oration publickly pronounc'd before the Se∣nat, mentions the same Cynick with con∣tempt and indignation: as it were prophe∣cying his Martyrdom following, and procu∣red by those Sycophants.