The abridgment of Eusebius Pamphilius's ecclesiastical history in two parts ... whereunto is added a catalogue of the synods and councels which were after the days of the apostles : together with a hint of what was decreed in the same / by William Caton.

Dionysius Bistop of Alexandria reporteth in his * 1.1 Epistle, the Constancy of such as were Mar∣tyred at Alexandria, under Decius; as followeth.

Dionysius unto Rabius Bishop of Antioch.

This Persecution was not begun by the Em∣perour's Edict (i. e. Proclamation or Decree) but one whole year before: For there came un∣to this City a certain Southsayer, and Inventer of Mischief, who moved and stirred up the whole Multitude of the Heathen against us, and excited (i. e. stirred up) them to defend the Su∣perstition of their Native Soil: By whom they being thus provoked, and having won to their side such as were of Power and Authority, to perpetrate (i. e. to commit any unlawful thing) all impious Acts, they perswaded themselves, that the only Worship of Devils and our Slaughter was Piety (i. e. Godliness) it self. First then, they apprehended a certain Mini∣ster, and commanded him to utter Blaspemy; who for disobedience therein, was beaten with Clubs, his Face and Eyes they pricked with * 1.2 sharp Quills; afterwards they led him forth, and stoned him to death.

Again, they brought into the Temple of Idols, a Faithful Woman named Quinta, and constrained her to Worship; who contrarying and abhorrying their Idols, had her Feet bound * 1.3 together, and by them trailed and lugged all along the Streets. which were paved with sharp

Stones; and withal being beaten against Mill-stones, and sore scourged, she was brought forth to the place and executed. Which being done, they all almost with one accord violent∣ly rushed into the Houses of the Religious, and and the wicked led the heady multitude unto their Neighbours Houses, whom they knew to be godly and well-disposed, and they destroyed, spoiled, stole, and bore away the precious Jewels; but the vile, the base, and the woo∣den stuff they threw out into the Street, and burned it to ashes; shewing forth thereby a Resemblance, or Spectacle of a City taken and ransacked by the Enemy. But the Brethren took it in good Part, and very cheerfully suffe∣red they the Loss of their Goods; much like unto them of whom Paul hath testified, so great was the Rage of the Heathen, that there was no way left for us to pass, no not the common High-way, nor any By passages either by day or night; they cried out all, and exclaimed every where; there was no other choice, but either to utter Blasphemy, or to be drawn and burnt at a Stake. But in the end, this Sedition and Civil War overtook the seditious Persons themselves, and turned upon them the self∣same Cruely, which they before had practised upon us; so that for a little Season we refresh∣ed our selves, their Fury wherewith they raged against us being somewhat abated. But a while after, the alteration of the Imperial Scep∣ter was made known unto us, which before-time had been very favourable unto us, but now threatned great Mischief to ensue, And the

Emperours Edict or Proclamation was proclai∣med; and that most dreadful Saying of our Sa∣viour * 1.4 prognosticated (i. e. foretold) long before, then took place, That if it had been possible, the very Elect themselves should have been offended..

Then did all tremble and Quake for fear; some forthwith of the mightier sort fled away, doubting what would befall them; some of their own accord were carried away with their worldly Affairs, some were perswaded by their Neighbours, and being called by their Names, were present at their profane and impious Sa∣crifices: Some waxed pale and trembled, not as though they would Sacrifice, but like to be∣come Sacrifices and Oblations (i. e. Offerings) to the Idols, so that the whole Multitude de∣rided them; for they seemed manifestly to be timerous both to die, and also to Sacrifice; some went stoutly to their Altars, and affirmed bold∣ly that they never were Christians; some other there were that held with both sides; some fled, and some were taken, whereof divers endured Fetters and Imprisonments: Othersome after long imprisonment, before they came unto the Tribunal (i. e. Judgment) Seat, renounced (i. e. forsook or denied) their Faith; yea, some denied Christ, after they had endured Torments. But Iulianus and Cronion (who con∣fessed and acknowledged the Lord with a sound Faith) were burned to ashes in the presence of the People, which compassed them round about.

Whenas they were brought forth, a certain Souldier rebuked such as reviled them, where∣fore

they exclaimed against him, so that he was brought forth in that great Skirmish for the Christian Faith, and was beheaded.

Dioscorus, a young Man of fifteen years old (with others) were committed: First of all the Judge took the young Man in hand with * 1.5 fair Speeches, as though he were easie to be in∣treated; afterwards with Torments, as though he were soon terrified; but he for all his per∣swasion, would neither bow at his Flatteries, or break at his Threats. The rest, after they had endured cruel rending and dis-jointing of their bodily Members, he commanded to be burned with fire: But Dioscorus he set at liber∣ty, wondring at his gracious Countenance (which gave a glittering shine) and the wise Answers which proceeded out of his mouth, saying he would grant him longer space to re∣pent and remember himself, for his tender years sake. Moreover, Nemesion an Egyptian was accused of Theft, whereof, after he had openly purged and cleared himself before the Centursion (i. e. Captain of 100 men) again he was accused of Christianity, wherefore he was bound and brought before the President (i. e. a Ruler or Judge.) But the most cruel and unjust Judge delivered him among the Thieves, to be twice more grievously tormented and vexed.

There stood before the Tribunal-Seat certain * 1.6 Souldiers, and together with them old Theophi∣lus, who (when any of the Christians came to hear the Sentence or Judgment, and then was ready to shrink) so strugled, that they were ready to burst within themselves; they nodded

with their Countenance, and beckned with their Hands, exhorting them to Constancy, with many signs and gestures of the Body; the which when the Multitude in compass had per∣ceived, before that any laid hands on them pre∣venting their doings, they stept forth before the Bar, and proclaimed themselves to be Christi∣ans; so that the President and his Assistants were amazed, and the Christians upon whom the Sentence had past, were thereby embolden∣ed to suffer, and the Judges marvellously afraid. These therefore departed from the Tribunal (i. e. Judgment) seat cheerfully, and rejoyced in the testimony of their Faith, God gloriously trium∣phing in them.

Ischyrion martyred by his Master. * 1.7

Many others (saith Dionysius) throughout the Cities and Villages, were quartered and dis∣membred by the Ethnicks (i. e. Heathens) whereof for example sake I will rehearse one. * 1.8 Isohrion, being a Noble-man's hired Servant, and by Office his Stoward, was commanded by his Master to do Sacrifice, and when he obeyed not, he was contumeliously (i. e. reproachfully) reviled. The Heathen Master seeing his Chri∣stian Servant so constant, p•…•…rsisting in his former Opinions, taketh a great Cudgel in his hand, and beat his Body and Bowels till Breath de∣parted. What shall I say of the multitude of them which wander in the desart, and waste mountains, consumed with Famine and Hun∣ger, and Cold and Diseases, spoiled by Thieves,

and devoured by Beasts, whose Blessedness and Victories, they that remain alive are able to te∣stifie. These things (Brother) I write not in vain, but that thou mayest understand, what and how great Evils and Mischiefs have hap∣pened among us, whereof they know more, which among all others have felt most.

Of Novatus his Heresie and Impiety. * 1.9

There was a certain Priest of Rome that was puffed up with Pride, became himself the Au∣thor and Ringleader of his own Heretical Sect (to wit) of such as through their swelling Pride did call themselves Kathrous (i. e. Puritans) whereof there was a Synod (i. e. a General or Universal Assembly) gathered together at Rome, of threescore Bishops, besides many Ministers and Deacons: And it was decreed, that Nova∣tus, together with such as swelled and consen∣ted unto his unnatural Opinion, repugnant, i. e. disagreeing, or contrary, to brotherly Love, should be excommunicated and banished the Church, &c.

It is said, that this Novatus longed of old af∣ter a Bishoprick; and to the end he might con∣ceal his own peevish Desire, he used the Cloak of Arrogancy, i. e. Pride or Loftiness, who chose two men of a desperate Condition to be partakers of his Heresie: These being simple men, not knowing their crafty and malicious Fetches, they were unclosed by such lewd Per∣sons as were suborned, i. e. were brought in for false Witnesses, for the purpose; and a•…•…ut

ten a Clock when they were somewhat tipsie, i. e. wanton, or somewhat drunk with Wine, and well crammed with Victuals, were con∣strained to create him Bishop, with imaginative, or devised and frivolous, i. e. vain laying on of Hands, the which craftily and subtilly, not compatible for his Person, he challenged unto himself.

It is said of him, that he being loth to die, and desirous of Life, in the time of Persecution, denied himself to be a Priest: And when he was intreated by the Deacons, and admonished to come forth of the house (wherein he had en∣closed himself) and to minister unto the neces∣sity of the Brethren which wanted; he was so far from yielding to the Deacons, that he went away, and departed in a Chafe, saying, That he would playno longer the Priest, but addict himself unto another Trade of Phylosophy. It is said of him, that when he distributed the Oblation to People, that he caused them to swear unto him, By the Body and Blood of our Lord Iesus Christ, that they would never forsake him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Chap. 40.
• * 1.2

  A Martyr stoned.
• * 1.3

  Heathen Cruelty.
• * 1.4

  Proclama∣tion a∣against Christians
• * 1.5

  A young Sufferer.
• * 1.6

  Souldiers compassion.
• * 1.7

  Chap. 41.
• * 1.8

  Souldiers Zeal.
• * 1.9

  Chap. 42.