The spirit of the martyrs revived in a brief compendious collection of the most remarkable passages and living testimonies of the true church, seed of God, and faithful martyrs in all ages: contained in several ecclesiastical histories & chronological accounts of the succession of the true church from the creation, the times of the fathers, patriarchs, prophets, Christ and the Apostles.

A Relation of the Persecutions raised by the Romans against the Christians in the Primitive Age of the Church dure∣ing the space of three hundred Years.

Eusebius, and the most part of Writers do number the first Per∣secutions to be Ten, wherein great Numbers of the Christians were slain and tormented; some slain with the Sword, some burnt with Fire, some with whips scourged, some stabed with Forks of Iron, some fastned to the Cross, or Gibbet, some drowned in the Sea, some their Skins pluck off, some their Tongues cut out, some stoned to death, some killed with cold, some starved with hunger, some their Hands cut off, or otherwise dis-membred, have been so left naked to the open shame of the World, whose kinds of punishment, although they were divers, yet the manner of constancy in all these Martyrs was one.

The first of these Ten Persecutions was stired up by Nero Domitias, about the year 67. after the Birth of Christ. Orosius writeth of Nero,

that he was the first within Rome did raise up Persecution against the Christians, and not only in Rome, but in all the Provinces thereof, thinking thereby to abolish the Name of Christians in all places.

In this Persecution the Apostle Peter suffered death, with many more Christians, as Hierome said Simon Peter, the Son of Jona, of the province of Galilee, and of the Town of Bethsaida, the Brother of Andrew, about the year 44. after Christ's birth came to Rome to with∣stand Simon Magus, in the time of Nero, and was crucified with his Head downwards, and his Feet upwards, himself so requiring; be∣cause, said he, I am unworthy to be crucified after the same manner as the Lord was.

Paul the Apostle, after his great travail and labours in preaching the Gospel in divers Countries, at last suffered Martyrdom in this first Persecution under Nero, and was beheaded; some writers say on the same day on which Peter was Crucified, although not in the same year, but in the next year following, which was the thirty seventh year after the Passion of Christ; that which he spake at his death is written as followeth.

Paul being delivered by Nero bound unto Longimus and Magistus, the cheif Officers, and Acestus the Centurion, that they should lead him without the City, and cause him to be beheaded; and Paul being full of the holy Ghost; spake the words of Eternal life, that both Nero, and all should believe in Jesus Christ, who was King of Heaven and Earth, who would destroy the glory of the world with fire; when they had led him away, Longimus, Magistus, and Acestus began to say unto him, Tell us, O Paul, where is that King? and where will he appear unto you? and how will you know him? and what will he give unto you, or what good will he bestow upon you, that you Chri∣stians so mightily love him, that by no means you will consent unto our Religion, that you may live and enjoy the good of this life; but rather, then all the pleasures of delight, to be led to die for him with divers Torments? for this seems to us to be a great error, to hate this joyfull life, and to imbrace with all your desire punishment and death: Paul therefore said, O ye wise men, and flourishing in knowledge, depart out of the darkness and error, wherein the nobi∣lity of your understanding is clouded with darkness lest you should see the Truth, which lyeth hid in you, return the eyes of your minds to the Eternal true Light, that ye may be able first to know your selves; and so come to the knowledge of that King with gladness, and to be saved from the fire which is to came upon the world, and to remain unhurt; for we do not War as you think, for some earth∣ly King, but the living God, the Kingdom without end, who by reason of the Iniquities that is done in this World, he will come a Judge, and will judge it by fire; happy will that man be who will believe in him, he shall have Eternal life, and shall live World with∣out end; and most unhappy is he who dispising the Riches of his Bounties and long Suffering, will not return unto him, for he shall Perish Eternally.

The first Persecution beginning under Nero, as aforesaid ceased under Vespatian, who gave some rest to the poor Christians, after whose reign was moved not long after the second Persecution by the Emperor Domitian, Brother of Titus, his Tyrany was unmeasu∣rable, he put to death all the Nephews of Jude, called the Lords Brother, and caused to be sought out, and to be slain all that could be found of the Stock of David. In the time of this Persecution Simon Bishop of Jerusalem, after other Torments, was Crucified to death In this Persecution John the Evangelist was Banished into Pathmos for the Testimony of the Word, and after the death of Domitian, in the Reign of Pertinax the Emperor he came to Ephesus, being releas∣ed in the year 100. He lived to a great age; some write, till he was 120. And this was his constant practice to his dying day, when age & weakness grew upon him at Ephesus, that he was no longer able to Preach to them, he used at every Publick Meeting to be led to the Meeting, and say no more to them, then, Little Children love one another.

He expressed great care for the good of souls, unweariedly spend∣ing himself in the service of the Gospel, and to beget People to the Truth, witness one instance in his visitation of the Churches neer Ephesus, he made choice of a young man, of goodly body, gra∣tious face, and fervent mind, whom with a special Charge for his In∣struction and Education he commited to the Bishop of that place; so John returned to Ephesus. But in process of time the young man became very dissolute, & perniciously accompanied himself with idle dissolute persons of ill behaviour, who put him in a way to steal and rob; so after he forsooke the right way, he brought himself unto a bottomless Pit of all misorder and outrage, and a rout of Theeves being gathered together, he became their Captain, which John at his return understanding, was sorely troubled, and said, I have left a wise keeper of our Brothers soul; prepare me a Horse, and let me have a Guide, he hastned and rode in post, being come to the place appointed, he is straitwayes taken of the Theevish watch, he neither fled nor resisted, but said bring me to your Captain, who in the mean time, as he was armed, beheld him coming; but as soon as he saw his face, and knew it was John he was striken with shame, and fled away, the Old man persued, and cryed, my Son, why fleest thou? O Son, tender my case, be not afraid, as yet there remaineth hope of Salvation; I will undertake for thee with Christ, I will die for thee, if need be, as Christ did for us; which words seized so on the young man, that his Countenance changed, and he shook off his Armor, and trembled, and wept bitterly, and imbraced the Old man, and answered as well as he could for weep∣ing; so afterwards the Apostle brought him into the Church again. Yet notwithstanding all these continual Persecutions, and horible Pu∣nishments, the Christians daily encreased, deeply rooted in the Do∣ctrine of the Apostles, and watred plentiously with the Blood of Saints, as saith Neceph••rus.

Everastus Bishop of Rome was Martyred under Trajanus in the year

102. after Christ, and Ignatius Bishop of Anti••ch was Martyred in his Regin; with many more Christians: This Trajanus was very impious towards the Christian Religion, and cruel towards the Christians, and caused the Third Persecution; in which Persecution Pliny the se∣cond, a Heathen Philosopher, a man learned and famous, seeing the lamentable Slaughter of Christians, and moved therewith to pity, wrot to Trajanus of the pitiful Persecution, certifying him, that there were very many thousands of them daily put to death, of which none did any thing contrary to the Roman Laws worthy persecution, saving that they used to gather together in the Morning before day and sing Hymns to a certain God whom they worshipped, called Christ, in all other their Ordinances they were godly and honest, and for proof hereof, saith he, I caused two Maidens to be laid on the Rack, and with Torments to be Examined about the same, but finding nothing in them, but only lewd and immoderate superstition. I resolved to sur∣cease farther enquiry, till I receive further Instructions from you in this matter: Trajan having read this Epistle, returned answer, that it was his mind that the Christians should not be sought after; but if they were brought and convicted, that then they should suffer Execu∣tion. Whereof Tertullian speaking, said, Oh confussed Sentance, he would not have them sought for, as men Innocent, and yet would have them punished as men guilty. This Trajan sent a Command to Jerusalem, that whosoever could be found out of the Stock of David should be inquired for, and put to death. In this Persecution suffered Phocas Bishop of Pontus, whom Trajan, because he would not wor∣ship Neptune, caused to be cast into a hot Lime-Kill, and afterwards to be put into a scaulding Bath, where he ended his life in the cause of Christ; Then also Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, was apprehended, and sent to Rome, where he was devoured of wild Beafts; and beside these, many thousands more were martyred.

In the Reign of Antolius Verus a great Number of the Christians suffered most cruel punishments and torments, especially in Asia and France, among whom was Policarp, Bishop of Smyrna, who was burnt at a Stake at Smyrna. About this time also suffered Blandina, and Ponticus a youth of fifteen years old, who defying their Idols, and constantly cleaving to Christ, were put to all the Torments their inraged Ene∣mies could devise, till at last the youth gave up the Ghost; Blandina was first pitifully whiped, and then thrown to the wild Beasts, then tor∣mented on the Gridiron, and at last slain. Comolus the Emperour upon his Birth day calling the People of Rome together in a great Royalty, cloathed in his Lions skin, sacrificed to Hercules, causing it to be pro∣claimed, that Hercules was the Patron of the City; whereupon Vinsen∣cicus E••sebius, Perigrenous and Potentionous, learned men, being stirred up with Zeal, went about from place to place converting the Heathen to the Faith of Christ; and hearing of the Madness of the Emperour and People, they reproved that Idolatrous blindness, exhorting them to believe in the true and living God, and that forsaking the worship ping of Divels, they should honour God alone. The Emperour hearing thereof caused them to be Apprehended, & required them to Sacrifice

Hercules which they refusing to do, he caused them to be grievously tormented, and pressed to death with weights of Lead.

Severus, another Emperour, put forth Proclamations, that no Christians should be suffered to live; hereby a great Persecution was stirred up on every side, and an infinite number of Martyrs were slain: Potamtena was tormented with boyling Pitch poured upon her, and afterwards, with her Mother Mersila, and Rhais was burnt in the Fire; and when Basilides Captain, having the Maid to execution, as he led her to the place, he repressed the raging of the Multitude, who followed with raging and reviling, which she seeing, prayed to the Lord for his Conversion to the true Faith, and so with admira∣ble patience suffered Martyrdom.

Shortly after Basilides being required to give an Oath in the be∣half of his fellow Souldiers he denied the same plainly, affirming, that he was a Christian, and therefore he could not Swear; they which heard him thought he jested at first, but when he had constant∣ly affirmed it, they had him before the Judge, who committed him to Ward; the Christians wondering at it, went to him and inqui∣ring the cause of his Conversion, he told them, that Potamiena prayed for him, and so he saw a Crown put upon his head, adding that it should not be long before he received it; and accordingly the next day he was beheaded.

A certain Christian being examined before the Judge, and through fear being ready to shrink back, there were certain persons standing by, who were ready to burst for grief, making signs to him, by their hands and jestures, to be constant; which being observed they were ready to be laid hold on; but they of their own accord pressed up to the Judge, professed themselves to be Christians, which much emboldened the weak Christian, and terrified the Judge; this being done, they departed away, rejoycing for the Testimony they had given of their Faith.

The Crimes and Accusations that was laid to the charge of the Christians by the Persecutors, were, That they refused to worship Idols, and the Emperours, and that they professed the Name of Christ; yet besides, all the Calamities and evils that happenedin the World, as Wars, Famine, Pestilence, &c. were imputed only to the Christians. But Cyprian and Tertullian, confuting these Slanders, proved, That the special cause of all those Miseries which befel the Empire, proceeded from the sheding of the Innocent Blood of the Christians; Cyprian was at last condemned to have his Head cut off, who patiently and willingly submitted his Neck to the stroke of the Sword.

Sixtus, Bishop of Rome, with his six Deacons, for the Christian Faith were all beheaded.

Laurence also, another of hi•• Deacons, following Sixtus, as he went to his Execution, complained that he might not suffer with him, but that he was seeluded, as the Son from the Father; to whom the Bishop answered, That within three days he should follow him, bid∣ding him in the mean time to go Home, and if he had any Treasures,

to distribute them amongst the Poor; the Judge hearing mention of Treasures, supposing that Laurence had great store in his custody, commanded him to bring the same to him; Laurence craved three days respit, promising then to declare where the Treasure might be had; in the mean time he caused a good number of Christians to be gathered together, and when the day of his answer was come, the persecutors strictly charged him to make good his promise; but Va∣liant Laurence streaching his Arms over the Poor, said, These are the pretious Treasures of the Church; these are the Treasures indeed, in whom Christ hath his Mansion, &c. But the Tyrant, in a great fury and madness, cryed, kindle the Fire, make no spare of Wood; hath this Villain deluded the Emperour? Away with him, whip him with Sourges, jerk him with Rods, buffet him with Fists, brain him with Clubs, jesteth the Traytor with the Emperour? Pinch him with fiery Tongs, gird him with burning Plates, bring out the strongest Chains and Fire-forks, and the Grate of Iron, set in on the Fire; bind the Rebel hand and foot, and when the Grate is red hot, on with him, roast him, broyl him, toss him turn him; upon pain of our high dis∣pleasure, do every man his office, Oh ye Tormentors; Immediately his command was obeyed, and after many cruel handlings, this meek Lamb was laid on the Gridiron; but what he indured was with such patience, that the Emperour seemed to be tormented more then him, though his Flesn broyled, the other's Heart burned; and when he had been pressed down with Forks for a great space, in the mighty Spirit of God he spake to the Tyrant, thus.

This side is now roasted enough, turn up, Oh Tyrant great; (Assay) whether roasted or Raw thou thinkst the better Meat.

Dioniceous writeth, that the number of those that suffered Martyr∣dom about that time was great, Men, Women, young Men, Mai∣dens, old Wives, and Men of all sorts and ages, of whom some with Scourgings and Fire, and some with the Sword abtained the V••ctory, and got the Crown; neither, saith he, to this day doth the President cease cruelly Murdering such as be brought before him, tearing some with Torments, Imprisoning others, and commanding that no man should come to them; yet God with the daily resort of the Bre∣thren doth comfort the afflicted.

Not long after this time the Church had Peace for about the space of forty four years, during which time it did mightily encrease and flourish, and divers of the Christians were preferred both to Court, and elsewhere; but through this great prosperity the Christians be∣gan to degenerate, and to grow Idle, striving and contending among themselves upon every occasion, with railing words bespattering one another in a despiteful manner, Bishops against Bishops, and Peo∣ple against People, moving hatred and sedition each against other, besides cursed Hyposrisie and Dissimulation more and more, by rea∣son whereof Gods Judgments brake forth against them, the Pastours being inflamed in mutual comtempt against each other; then did the Lord raise up Adversaries against his People; then did Dioclecian the

Emperour raise a great and grievous Persecution against the Church; commanding all the Meeting places of the Christians to be spoiled and cast down, and the Book of the Scripture to be burnt, which was executed with all rigour and contempt that might be, giving out Edicts for the displacing of all Christian Magistrates; and for Impri∣soning of the Elders and Bishops, and a great Persecution ensued: But the Christians manfully passed through exceeding bitter Torments, by Scouging, Whipping, and Racking, and being put to death; so that it cannot be expressed what number of Martyrs suffered, what Blood was shed through all Cities and Regions for the Name of Christ in this Emperours time, by divers Torments; some being hanged up by the Feet, and by the smoke of a small Fire strangled.

One Peter was hoysted up naked, and so beaten and torn with Whips, that his Bones might be seen; then they poured on Salt and Vineger, and after Roasted him with a soft Fire.

Also many Christians being met together, Maximinian the Empe∣rour sent some to burn the Meeting place, and burn them all; but first they commanded a Cryer to Proclaim, that whosoever would have life should come out, and sacrifice to Jupiter, otherwise they should be all burnt; then one steping up boldly in the name of all the rest, said, We are all Christians, and believe that Christ is our only God and King, and we will sacrifice to none but him: hereupon the Fire was kindled and many Men Women and Children were burnt in that place.

And the punishments these Christians endured were so great, and horrible, as no Tongue is able to express; as Whippings, Scourg∣ings, Rackings, horrible Scrapings, Sword, Fireship-boats, where∣into many were put, and sunk into the Sea, as also hanging upon Crosses, binding some to the bodies of Trees, with their Head hang∣ing downwards, hanging others by the middles upon Gallowses, till they dyed of hunger, throwing divers alive to Bears, Leopards, wilde Bulls, pricking others with bodkins, and tallens of Beasts, till they were almost dead.

The Christians being assembled at Antioch, where one Romanus ran to them, declaring to them that the Wolves were at hand, which would devour them; yet he exhorted them not to fear: A Band of armed men were sent against them, but they kept their Faith; whereupon the Souldiers sent word to their Captain, that they could not force the Christians to deny their Faith, by reason of Romanus, who did so mightily encourage them; The Captain commanded that he should be brought before him, which was done accordingly; What, saith the Captain, Art thou the Author of this Sedition? Art thou the cause that so many lose their lives, by the Gods I Swear, thou shalt answer for them all, and shalt suffer those Torments that thou encouragest them to undergo: Romanus answer∣ed, Thy Sentance, O Emperor, I willingly embrace, I refuse not to be sacrificed for my Brethren, and that by as cruel Torments as thou canst invent: The Captain being much enraged with this his stout answer, commanded him to be trust up, and his bowels

drawn out; whereupon the Executionor said, not to Sir; this man is of noble p••rantage, and therefore be may not be put to so igno∣ble a death; scourge him then, quoth the Captain, with whips having knobs of lead at the end; but Romamus song all the time of his whipping, requiring not to favour him for nobilities sake; not the blood of Progenitors, saith he, but the Christian Profession makes me Noble. Then did he deride their Idol Gods, which in∣raged the Tyrant, so that he commanded his sides to be lanced with Knives, till the Bones were laid open; yet still did the holy Martyr preach the living God, and the Lord Jesus Christ to him, for which the Tyrant commanded them to strike out his teeth; also his face was buffetted; his Eye-lids torn; his Cheeks gashed with Knives; the skin of his Beard pulled off, yet the meek Martyr said, I thank thee, O Captain, that thou hast opened to me so many Mouthes, as Wounds, whereby I may Preach my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; Look how many Wounds I have, so many mouths I have landing and praising God. The Captain astonished at his constancy, bad them give over tor∣menting him, yet he threatned to burn him, reviled him, and blasphemod God saying, Thy crucified Christ is but a yesterdayes God, the Gods of the Gentiles are of greatest Antiquity, But Romanus taking occasion from hence, declared to him the Eternity of Christ, withall, saying, give me a Christian Child of seven years old, and thou shalt hear what he will say; hereupon a Boy was called out of the Multitude, to whom Romanus said, Tell me my pretty Babe, whether thou think it reason that we worship Christ, and in Christ one Father, or else that we worship infinite Gods; the Child answered, that certainly what we affirm to be God must needs be one, which with one is one and the same, and inasmuch as this one is Christ, of necessity Christ must be the true God; for that there be many Gods we Children cannot believe. The Cap∣tain amazed at this, said, Thou young Villain and Traytor, where, and of whom learnest thou this Lesson? of my mother, said he, with whose milk I sucked, in this Lesson, that I must believe in Christ; The mother was called, and she gladly appeared; the Tyrant commanded the Child to be horsed up, and scourged; the Standers by beholding this merciless act, could not refrain from tears; the joyful and glad mother alone stood by, with dry cheeks, yea, she rebuked her sweet Babe for desiring a cup of cold water, charging him to thirst after the cup that the Babes of Bethlem once drunk of; she willing him to remember little Isaac, who willingly offered his neck to the dint of his fathers Sword, &c. Then did the cruel Tormentor pull of the skin, hair and all from the crown of the Childs head; the mother, Crying, Suffer my Child, anon thou shalt pass to him that will adorn thy head with a Crown of Eternal glory. Thus the mother counselleth and encourageth, the Child is encouraged and receiveth the strips with a smilling countenance. The Captain seeing the Child invincible, and himself vanquished, commanded him to be cast into the stinking Prison, whilest the Torments of Romanus were renewed and encreased; then was

Romanus brought forth again to receive new strips upon his old sorts, the flesh being torn, and the bare bones appearing, yet the cruel Tyrant raging like a mad man, quarrelled with the tormentors for dealing so mildly with him, commanding them to cut, prick and punch him; and then he passed sentence upon him, together with the Child to be burned to death; to whom Romanus, said, I appeal from this unjust sentence of thine to the righteous Throne of Christ, that upright Judge; not because I fear thy cruel Tor∣ments, and merciless handling, but that thy Judgments may be known to be cruel and bloody. When they came to the place of Execution, the Tormentors required the Child of his mother, for she had carried it in her Arms from the Prison, she kissed it, delivered it to them, and as the Execution or was striking off his head, she said, farewel my sweet Child.

All Laud and praise with heart and Voice, O Lord, we yeild to thee; To whom the death of all thy Saints We know most dear to be.

The Childs head being cut off the mother wrapt it in her garment, laid it to her brest, and so departed. Then was Romanus cast into a mighty Fire which being quenched with a great storm of Rain; the Tyrant commanded his Tongue to be cut out, and afterwards cau∣sed him to be strangled in the Prison.

Gordius a Centurion in Cesarea, in the heat of this Persecution left his charge, living a sollitary Life in a Wilderness for a long time, at last when a solemn Feast was celebrated to Mars in that City, and multitudes of People were assembled in the Theatre to see the Games, he came and got up into a conspicuous place, and with a loud Voice said; behold I am found of those that sought me not. The Multi∣tude hereupon looked about to see who it was that spoke this, and Gordius being known, he was immediatly brought before the Sheriff, and being asked, who, and what he was, and why he came thither? he told him the whole Truth, professing, that he believed in Christ, valued not their threatings, and chose this as a fit time to manifest his Profession in: Then did the Sheriff call for Scourges, Gibbets and all manner of Torments; to whom Gordius answered, That it would be a loss and damage to him if he did not suffer divers Torments and Pu∣nishments for Christ and his Cause. The Sheriff more incensed hereby, commanded all those Torments to be inflicted on him, with which Gordius could not be overcome, but sang, The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man can do unto me, and I will fear no evil, because thou Lord art with me, &c. Then did he blame the Tormentors for fa∣vouring him, provoking them to do their uttermost; the Sheriff not prevailing that way, sought by flattery to seduce him, promising him Preferment, Riches, Treasures, Honour, &c. if he would deny Christ; but Gordius deriding his foolish Madness, saying, That he lookt for greater preferment in Heaven then he could give him here upon Earth. Then was he condemned, and had out of the City and burnt,

Multitudes followed him, and some kissing him with Tears, intreated him to pity himself, to whom he answered, Weep not, I pray you, for me, but for the Enemies of God, which fight against the Chri∣stians, weep, I say, for them which prepare a Fire for us, purchasing Hell-fire thereby for themselves in the day of Vengeance; and cease, I pray you, thus to molest my quiet and setled mind; for truly, For the Name of Christ, I am ready to suffer a Thousands deaths, &c. Others perswaded him to deny Christ with his mouth, and to keep his Con∣science to himself: my Tongue (saith he) which by Gods goodness I have, cannot be brought to deny the author and giver of the same; for with the Heart we believe unto righteousness, and with the Tongue we confest unto Salvation; and thus perswading and encouraging the People to be willing to dye in the like cause, with an unappalled countenance he willingly gave himself to be burnt.

Basil in one of his Orations relates a Story of one Julitta, from whom one of the Emperours Officers took all her Goods, Lands and Servants, contrary to all Equity; whereupon she complained to the Judges, and a day of hearing was appointed, where the spoiled Wo∣man lamentably declared her Case; but the wicked Villain that had robbed her, said, that her Action was of no force, for she was an Out∣law, for not observing the Emperours Gods, and that she was a Christian: His Allegation was allowed, Incense was prepared for her to offer to the Gods, which if she refused, she should neither have protection nor benefit of the Emperours Laws, nor continue her life; she hearing this, in the mighty Strength of God, said, Farwel Riches, welcome Poverty; Farwel Life, welcome Death, all that I have, were it a Thousand times more, would I lose, rather then speak one wicked word against God my Creator; I yeild thee most hearty thanks, O my God, for this gift of Grace, that I can condemn and dispise this frail and transitory World, esteeming the Profession of Christ above all Treasures. And thence forth, when any Question was proposed to her, her answer was, I am the Servant of Jesus Christ; her Kindred and Friends earnestly solliciting her to change her mind, but she constantly refused, with detestation of their Idola∣try: Then did the cruel Judge condemn her to be burnt, which Sen∣tence she embraced joyfully, as a thing most sweet and delectable; and so she addressed her self to the Flames, in countenance, jesture and words declaring the Joy of her Heart, coupled with singular constan∣cy, and so embracing the Fire she sweetly slept in the Lord.

Thus near the space of three hundred years was the Church of Christ assaulted on every side, had small rest, no joy nor outward safety in this present World, but in much bitterness of Heart, in continual tears and mourning under the Cross passed over their days, being spoiled, imprisoned, contemned, reviled, famished, tormented and martyred every where, by night assembling to sing Praises to God; in all which their dreadful dangers, and sorrowful afflictions, notwithstanding the goodness of the Lord left them not desolate, but the more their outward Tribulations did increase, the more their inward Consolations did abound; and the farther

off they seemed from the joyes of this Life, the more present was the Lord with them with Grac•• and fortitude to confirm and rejoyce their Souls; and though their possessions and riches in this World were lost and spoiled, yet were they inriched with heavenly Gifts and Treasures from above an hundredfold; then was true Religion truely felt in the Heart; then was Christianity not in out∣ward appearance shewed only, but in inward affection received; then was the Name and Fear of God true in Heart, not in Lips alone dwelling; Faith then was fervent, Zeal ardent, Prayer not swiming in the Lips, but groaned out to God from the bottom of the Spirit; then was no Pride in the Church, nor leisure to seek riches, nor time to keep them; contention for Trifles was then so far from Chri∣stians, that well were they when they could meet to pray together against the Devil the author of all dissention.

But after this the Christians coming to be in favour with the Emperours, and riches and worldly wealth crept into the Clergy, and the Devil poured his venom into the Church, so that true humi∣lity began to decay, and Pride to set in his Foot; and after the Church through favour of the Emperours, was indued with Lands, Dona∣tions, Possessions and Patrimonies, and the Bishops feeling the smack of Wealth, ease and prosperity, began to swell in pomp and pride, and the more they flourished in this World, the more Gods holy Spi∣rit forsook them; till at last the Bishops, who were for a long time kept low, and persecuted, as before is related, now of persecuted People, began to be Persecutors of others, and through their pride and riches were wholy degenerated from the true Religion, and be∣came Adversaties to God, and persecuted and destroyed his living Witnesses and Members, as any were raised up from time to time to bear a Testimony against their Apostacy, as in this following Histo∣ry will appear.

Notes

• The first of the Ten Per∣secutions
• Orosius lib. 5.
• Hien. lib. de viris just.
• Hierom Comi•• in C. 6. ad Ga∣lat. Tom. 9. p. 200.
• Euseb. lib. 3. Chap. 10. p. 92.
• Ex Niceph••∣ro Lib. 3. Chap. 32.
• Everastu•• pers••••••ed
• Policarpus suffered.
• Potamtena persecuted.
• Basilides suffered.
• The crimes and charges laid to the Christians.
• Laurence Martyred.
• Roman•••• Persecuted.