Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.

Hadrian Emperour.

NExt after this Traianus succeded Hadriā the Emperor, vnder whom suffered Alexander the Bishop of Rome, with his two Deacons: Euentius and Theodorus: Also Her∣mes, and Quirinus, with their families, as latly before was declared.

It is signified moreouer in the historyes, y^t in the time of this Hadrian, Zenon a noble man of Rome with ten thou∣sand, two hundreth and three, were slayne for Christ. Henr. de Erfordia, and Bergomensis, Lib. 8. make mention of tenne thousand, in the daies of this Hadrian, to be crucified in the mount Ararath, crowned with crownes of thorne, & thrust into the sides with sharpe Dartes, after the example of the Lordes passion. Whose Captaines (as Antonin us, & Vin∣centius in spec. histor. declareth (were Achaicus, Heliades, Theodorus, and Carcerius, &c. Whether this story be y^e same with the other aboue of Zenō, or not, it is doubted. As tou∣ching the miracles done, and the speaking of the angell, I referre the certainty therof to Vincentius and such other like authors where mo things seme to be told, then to be true.

There was one Eustachius a Captaine, whom Traianus in tyme past had sent out to warre against the Barbari∣ans. After he had by Gods grace ualiantly subdued his e∣nemies, and now was returning home with victory: Ha∣drian for ioymeting him in his iourney, to bring him home with triumph, by the way first would do sacrifice to Apol∣lo, for the victory gotten, willing also Eustachius to doe the same with him. But when Eustachius could by no meanes therto be inforced, being brought to Rome, there with his wife and children suffred Martyrdome vnder the foresayd Hadrian. It were a long processe here to recite all the mira∣cles conteined or rather suspected in this story of this Eusta∣chius concerning his conuersion and death. How the cru∣cifixe appeared to him betwene the hornes of an Hart. Of the sauing of his wife frō the shipmen. Of one of his sōnes saued from the Lion, the other saued from y^e wolf. Of their miraculous preseruation from the wild beasts, frō the tor∣ments of fire mentioned in Bergomensis, and Vincētius and

other. All which as I find them in no ancient records, so I leaue them to their authors and compilers of the Legēds.

We read also of Faustinus and Iobita, citizens of the Ci∣tie of Brixia, which suffered Martyrdome with like grie∣uous torments. At the sight wherof, one Calocerius seeing their so great pacience, in so great torments, cried out with these wordes: Verè Magnus Deus Christianorum. That is, verily great is the God of the Christians. Which woordes being heard, forthwith he was apprehended, and being brought to the place of their executiō, was made partaker of their Martyrdome. Ex Ant. Equilin.

The history of Nicephorus maketh mention of Anthia a godly woman, who committed her sonne Eleutherius to Anicetus bishop of Rome, to be brought vp in the doctrine of Christian faith, who afterward beyng Bishop in Apu∣lia, was there beheaded with his foresayd mother Anthia, Onomast.

Iustus also and Pastor two brethen, with like Martyr∣dome ended their liues in a citie of Spaine called Gomplu∣tum, vnder the said Hadrian the Emperour.

Likewise Symphorissa the wife of Ge••ulus the Martyr, with her vij. children, is said about the same time to suffer: who first was much, and oft beaten & scourged, afterward was hanged vp by the haire of her head. At last hauing an huge stone fastened vnto her, was throwne headlong into the riuer, & after that her seuen childrē in like maner, with sundry & diuers kindes of punishment diuersly were mar∣tyred by the tirants.

The story of M. Hermannus, and Antoninus, and other, report of Sophia, with her three children also. also of Serapia and Sabina, to suffer vnder the said Emperour, about the yeare of our Lord, 130.

As concerning Alexander bishop of Rome, with his ij. Deacons, also with Hermes, Quirinus, Saphyra, and Sabina▪ Some writers, as Bede, and Marianus Scotus recorde that they suffred vnder Traianus. Others againe, as Otto Frisin∣gensis with like mo, report that they suffred in the iiij. yeare of this Emperour Hadrian, but of these Martyrs sufficient∣ly hath bene sayd before.

While Hadrian the Emperour was at Athens, he pur∣posed to visite the countrey of Eleusina, and so did: where he sacrifising to the Gentiles Gods, after the maner of the Grecians, had geuen free leaue & libertie, whosoeuer would to persecute the Christians. Whereupon Quadratus a man of no lesse zeale excellent, as of famous learning, being thē Bishop of Athens, and Disciple of the Apostles, or at least succeding incontinent the age of the Apostles, and follow∣ing after Publius (who a litle before was martyred for the testimony of Christ) did offer vp and exhibite vnto Hadrian the Emperour, a learned and excellent Apologie in the de∣fence of the Christian Religion. Wherein he declared the Christians without all iust cause or desert, to be so cruelly entreated and persecuted, &c. The like also did Aristides an other no lesse excellēt Philosopher in Athens, who for his singular learning and eloquence being notified to the em∣peror, and comming to his presence, there made before him an eloquent Oration. Moreouer, did exhibite vnto the said Emperour a memorable Apologie for the christians, so ful of learning and eloquence, that as Hierome sayth, it was a spectacle and admiration to men in his tyme, that loued to see wit and learning. Ouer and besides these, there was al∣so an other named Serenus Granius a man of great nobility, who likewise did write very pithy & graue letters to Ha∣drian the Emperour, shewing and declaring therein, to be consonant with no right nor reason, for the bloud of inno∣cents so to be geuen to the rage and fury of the people, and so to be condemned for no fault, onely for the name and sect that they followed.

Thus the goodnes of God being mooued with the pray∣ers and constant labour of these so excellent men, so turned the hart of the Emperour, that he beyng better informed concerning the order & profession of the christians, became more fauorable vnto them. And immediatly vpō the same directed his letters to Minutius Fundanus (as is partly be∣fore mencioned) Proconsul of Asia, willing him frō hence∣forth to exercise no more such extremitie against the Chri∣stians, as to condemne any of them hauing no other crime obiected against them but onely their name. The copy of which his letter, because that Iustine in his Apologie doth alleage it, I thought therefore to expresse the same in his owne wordes as followeth.

The letter of Hadrian the Emperour, to Minutius Fundanus.

I Haue receiued an Epistle writen vnto me from Serennius Gra∣nianus, our right worthy and welbeloued, whose office you do now execute. Therefore I thinke it not good to leaue this matter without further aduisement and circumspection to passe, least our subiects be molested, and malicious sycophants boldned and supported in their euill: Wherefore if the subiects of our prouin∣ces, doe bring forth any accusation before the iudge agaynst the Christians, and can prooue the thing they obiect against them, let them doe the same, and no more, and otherwise for the name onely, not to impeach them, nor to cry out against them. For so, more conuenient it is, that if any man will be an accuser, you to take the accusation quietly, and iudge vpon the same. Therfore, if any shall accuse the Christians, and complaine of them as male∣factors, doing contrary to the law, then geue you iudgement ac∣cording to the qualitie of the crime But notwithstanding who so euer vpō spite and maliciousnes shal commence or cauil against them, see you correct and punish that man, for his vnordinate and malicious dealing.

Thus by the mercifull prouidence of God, some more quiet and rest was geuen to the Church, although Herman∣nus thinketh these Alcione dayes did not very long conti∣nue, but that the Emperour changing his Edict, began to renue agayne persecution against gods people, albeit this soundeth not to be so by the wordes of Melito in his Apo∣logic to Antoninus hereafter ensuing. In the meane tyme this is certain, that in the dayes of this Hadrian, the Iewes rebelled agayne & spoyled the country of Palestina. Against whom the Emperour sent Iulius Seuerus, who ouerthrew in Iurie, 50. castels, and burnt and destroyed 980. villages and Tounes, and slue of the Iewes 50. thousand, so that with famine, sickenes, sword, and fire, Iuda was almost desolate. But at length Hadrian the Emperour, which o∣therwise was named Aelius, repaired and enlarged the Ci∣tie agayn of Hierusalem, which was called after his name Aeliopolis, or Aelia Capitolina, the inhabitaunce whereof, he graunted only to the Gentiles, and to the Christians, for∣bidding the Iewes vtterly not to enter into the Citie.

After the death of Hadrian, who died by bleeding at the nose, succeded Antoninus Pius, about the yeare of our Lord, 140. and raigned 23. yeres. Who for his clemency and mo∣dest behauiour, had the name of Pius, and is for the same in histories commended. His saying was, that he had rather saue one Citizen, then destroy a thousand of his aduersa∣ries. At the beginning of his raigne, such was the state of the Church, as Hadrian his predecessour had left it, as in which, although there was no Edict set forth to persecute the Christians: yet the tumultuous rage of the Heathen multitude for the causes aboue specified, did not cease to disquiete and afflict the quiet people of God, impu••ing and ascribing to the Christians whatsoeuer misfortune happe∣ned contrary to their desires. Moreouer, inuentyng a∣gaynst them all false crimes and contumelies wherein to accuse them. By reason whereof, diuers there were in sun∣dry places much molested, and some put to death: albeit, as it is to be supposed, not by the consent of the Empe∣rour, who of nature was so mylde and gentle, that either he raysed vp no persecution agaynst the Christians, or els he soone stayed the same beyng mooued. As well may ap∣peare by his letter sent doune to the countreys of Asia, the tenor whereof here insueth.

The Epistle of Antoninus Pius, to the Common of Asia.

EMperour and Caesar, Aurelius, Antoninus, Augustus, Arme∣nicus, Pontifex Maximus, Tribune eleuen tymes, Consull thrise,

vnto the commons of Asia greeting.

I am very certayne, that the Gods haue a care of this, that they which be such, shall be knowen, and not lye hid. For they doe punish them, that will not worship them more then you: which so vexe and trouble them, confirming thereby the opinion which they haue conceaued, and doe conceaue of you, that is, to bee wicked men. For this is their ioy and desire, that when they are accused, rather they couet to dye for their God, then to lyue. Whereby they are Vi∣ctorers, and doe ouercome you, geuing rather their lyues, then to bee obedient to you, in doyng that which you require of them. And here it shall not be inconuenient to aduertise you of the Earthquakes, which haue, and doe happen among vs, that when at the sight of them you tremble and are afraide, then con∣ferre your case with them. For they vpon a sure confidence of their God, are bolde and fearelesse, much more then you: who in all the tyme of this your ignoraunce, both doe worship other Gods, and neglect the Religion of immortalitie, and such Chri∣stians as worship him, them you doe driue out, and persecute them vnto death. Of these and such like matters, many Presidents of our Prouinces, did write to our father of famous memorie heretofore. To whome he directed his aunswere agayne, wil∣ling them in no case to molest the Christians, except they were found in some trespasse preiudiciall against the Empire of Rome.

And to me also many there be, which write, signifiyng their mind in like maner. To whome I haue aunswered againe, to the same effect and maner as my father did. Wherefore, if any hereafter shall offer any vexatiō or trouble, to such, hauing no other cause, but onely for that they are such, let him that is appeached, be released and discharged free, yea although he be founde to bee such, (that is a Christian) and let the accuser sustaine the pu∣nishment, &c.

This godly Edict of the Emperour was proclay∣med at Ephesus, in the publique assēbly of all Asia, wherof Melito also Byshop of Sardis, who florished in the same tyme, maketh mention in his Apologie written in defence of our doctrine to M. Antoninus Verus as hereafter (Christ willing) shall appeare. By this meanes then the tempest of persecution in those daies began to be appeased, through the mercifull prouidence of God, which woulde not haue hys Church vtterly to be ouerthrowne, though hardly yet to growe.

Notes

• Zenon with 10000. Martyrs slayne for Christ. Ex Henr. de Exfordia & alijs.
• Achaichus. Heliades. Theodorus. Carcerius with ten thousand Martyrs. Eustachius with hys wife and Children Martyred for Christ.
• Faustinus and Iobita. Calocerius. Martrys.
• Elutherius. with hys mother Anthia Martyrs. Ex Nice∣phor•• & ex Onam. ••u∣stus and Pa∣stor bre∣thren and Martyrs. Symboris. with her 7. Children martyred.
• Sophia with her 3. chil∣dren Marti∣red.
• Quadra∣tus By∣shop of A∣thens, offe∣reth an A∣pology of Christian doctrine.
• Aristides a Philoso∣pher of A∣thens, defē∣deth before the Empe∣rour the re∣ligion of Christ.

  Serenus Granius a defender of Christian Religion. Euseb. lib.. 4 Cap. 8.
• The Empe∣rour wri∣teth for the Christians.
• The letter of Hadrian the Emperour to Fundanus the Proconsull,
• Respite from persecution.
• The second de∣struction of the Iewes.

  Hierusalem re∣edified & enlar∣ged.

  Some write that the place where Christ was crucified, was taken into the walles.

  Hierusalem cal∣led by a new name. Aeliopolis.
• Antoninus Pius Emperour.
• Anno. 140.
• The letter of Antoninus Pius to the common of Asia.
• A notable ar∣gument of the Emperour to proue the good conscience of Christians, and the false consci∣ence of the Heathen.
• He meaneth Hadrian which adopted this Antoninus of hys sonne in law, to be hys sonne & heyre. O noble edict.