The history of all religions in the world, from the creation down to this present time in two parts : the first containing their theory, and the other relating to their practices ... : to which is added, a table of heresies : as also a geographical map, shewing in what countrey each religion is practised ... / by William Turner ...

Christians.

Victorinus, a Rhetorician at Rome, a Man of great Note and Fame, who had obtained the ho∣nour of a publick Statue, but a zealous Pagan, upon reading Scripture, turn'd Christian, which he told privately to Simplician, who would not believe him, unless he would testifie it also in the Publick Church: To which, at first, he answered with some scorn; — What! Are they then the Walls that make a Christian? Afterwards, beco∣ming sensible of his Fault, and gathering courage, afraid lest Christ should deny him, if he should

refuse to confess Him, came to Simplician, and said; Come, let us go into the Church, and I will now become a Christian. He did so, and was In∣structed and Baptized; and being to make the ac∣customed Confession, the Ministers offered him the liberty of Privacy, (as to those who were of a bashful temper,) which he refused, making Con∣fession before all the People. Aug. Conf. l. 8. c. 2.

One Blandina (in the French Persecution under Aurelius) a good Woman, yet of whom the Church was afraid, how she should hold out, be∣cause of the tenderness of her Body; and Educa∣tion; when she came to it, though plied from Morning 'till Night, with all kind of Racks and Tortures; she bore up with invincible Courage, refreshing her self, ever and anon, with these words; I am a Christian, and no Evil is done by us. Her Tormentors gave over, and wondered, That a Body, so broken, should be able to breath.

The Britains, in the time of Austin the Monk, would not renounce their Hen Fydh (old Faith) counting Popery an Innovation then, and there∣fore stoutly resisted all that Austin said. Th. Jones, of Oswestree.

John Rodolph Stadler, a Clock-Maker of Zurik, who had been five Years in the King of Persia's Service, and growing weary of being so long a∣mong Infidels, was desirous to return into his own Countrey; but desiring his Majesty's leave, had 400 Crowns promised him to stay two Years longer. But this prevail'd not; for he got the German Ambassadors to interceed for him: In the mean time his House was broke open in the night, and the Thief kill'd; for which he was Condem∣ned to dye; with this proviso, That if he would be circumcised and turn Mussulman, he should be pardon'd. Most of the Lords sollicited him very much to change his Religion, at least in shew, and

for a time, and promised him advantages: Twice he was brought to the place of Execution in the Maidau, in hopes the horrour of death would oblige him to renounce; but his constancy could not be shaken. He told them, that the King's fa∣vour should never make him lose that which Jesus Christ had done for him, in redeeming him from Eternal death by his blood, &c. The Augustine Monks and Carmelites endeavour'd all they could, to make him profess himself Roman Catholick; but all in vain; at last he was delivered up to the Re∣lations of the Deceased, and at 3 blows struck down to the ground. 1637: D. of Holst. Emb. Trav. p. 208. and M. Tavernier l. 5. c. 4.